Job 9:11–16

Behold, he passes by me, and I see him not;

he moves on, but I do not perceive him.

Behold, he snatches away; who can turn him back?

Who will say to him, ‘What are you doing?’

“God will not turn back his anger;

beneath him bowed the helpers of Rahab.

How then can I answer him,

choosing my words with him?

Though I am in the right, I cannot answer him;

I must appeal for mercy to my accuser.

If I summoned him and he answered me,

I would not believe that he was listening to my voice.

When he passes me, I cannot see him;

when he goes by, I cannot perceive him.

If he snatches away, who can stop him?

Who can say to him, ‘What are you doing?’

God does not restrain his anger;

even the cohorts of Rahab cowered at his feet.

“How then can I dispute with him?

How can I find words to argue with him?

Though I were innocent, I could not answer him;

I could only plead with my Judge for mercy.

Even if I summoned him and he responded,

I do not believe he would give me a hearing.

If he passed by me, I wouldn’t see him;

if he went by, I wouldn’t recognize him.

If he snatches something, who can stop him?

Who can ask him, “What are you doing?”

God does not hold back his anger;

Rahab’s assistants cringe in fear beneath him!

How then can I answer him

or choose my arguments against him?

Even if I were in the right, I could not answer.

I could only beg my Judge for mercy.

If I summoned him and he answered me,

I do not believe he would pay attention to what I said.

“Yet when he comes near, I cannot see him.

When he moves by, I do not see him go.

If he snatches someone in death, who can stop him?

Who dares to ask, ‘What are you doing?’

And God does not restrain his anger.

Even the monsters of the sea are crushed beneath his feet.

“So who am I, that I should try to answer God

or even reason with him?

Even if I were right, I would have no defense.

I could only plead for mercy.

And even if I summoned him and he responded,

I’m not sure he would listen to me.

“If he passes by me, I would not see him;

and if he should move on, I would not recognize him.

If he would snatch away, who could turn him?

Who could say to him, ‘What are you doing?’

God will not turn back his anger;

beneath him the helpers of Rahab bow.

How much less can I myself answer him?

How can I choose my words with him,

whom I cannot answer, even though I am righteous?

From my judge I must implore grace.

If I summon him, and he should answer me,

I do not believe that he will listen to my voice—

Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not:

He passeth on also, but I perceive him not.

Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him?

Who will say unto him, What doest thou?

If God will not withdraw his anger,

The proud helpers do stoop under him.

How much less shall I answer him,

And choose out my words to reason with him?

Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer,

But I would make supplication to my judge.

If I had called, and he had answered me;

Yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice.