Job 9:14–20
New International Version (2011)Other versions
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- NIV New International Version (2011)
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- GW GOD’S WORD Translation
- GNB Good News Translation
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- LEB The Lexham English Bible
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- YLT Young’s Literal Translation
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14“How then can I dispute with him?
How can I find words to argue with him?t
15Though I were innocent, I could not answer him;u
I could only pleadv with my Judgew for mercy.x
16Even if I summoned him and he responded,
I do not believe he would give me a hearing.y
17He would crush mez with a storma
and multiplyb my wounds for no reason.c
18He would not let me catch my breath
but would overwhelm me with misery.d
19If it is a matter of strength, he is mighty!e
And if it is a matter of justice, who can challenge himb?f
20Even if I were innocent, my mouth would condemn me;
if I were blameless, it would pronounce me guilty.g
Footnotes
- bSee Septuagint; Hebrew me.
Cross references
- tSee ver 3
- uJob 10:15; 13:19; 34:5–6; 40:5; 42:7
- vJob 8:5
- wSee Ge 18:25; 1 Sa 24:12; Ps 50:6; 96:13
- xver 20, 29; Job 15:6; 23:4; 40:2
- yJob 13:22; Ro 9:20–21
- zJob 16:12; 30:16; Ps 10:10; Isa 38:13
- aJob 30:22; Ps 83:15; Jnh 1:4
- bJob 16:14
- cSee Job 2:3
- dSee Job 7:19; See 10:1
- eSee ver 4; See Ne 9:32
- fver 33; Jer 49:19
- gSee ver 15
Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 Biblica, Inc.
In other versions
ESVEnglish Standard Version
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.
For he crushes me with a tempest
and multiplies my wounds without cause;
he will not let me get my breath,
but fills me with bitterness.
If it is a contest of strength, behold, he is mighty!
If it is a matter of justice, who can summon him?
Though I am in the right, my own mouth would condemn me;
though I am blameless, he would prove me perverse.
Copyright 2001 Crossway Bibles
CSBChristian Standard Bible
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.
He batters me with a whirlwind
and multiplies my wounds without cause.
He doesn’t let me catch my breath
but fills me with bitter experiences.
If it is a matter of strength, look, he is the powerful one!
If it is a matter of justice, who can summon him?
Even if I were in the right, my own mouth would condemn me;
if I were blameless, my mouth would declare me guilty.
Copyright 2017 Holman Bible Publishers
NLTNew Living Translation
“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.
For he attacks me with a storm
and repeatedly wounds me without cause.
He will not let me catch my breath,
but fills me instead with bitter sorrows.
If it’s a question of strength, he’s the strong one.
If it’s a matter of justice, who dares to summon him to court?
Though I am innocent, my own mouth would pronounce me guilty.
Though I am blameless, it would prove me wicked.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.
LEBThe Lexham English Bible
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—
who crushes me with a tempest
and multiplies my wounds without cause.
He will not allow me to catch my breath;
rather, he will fill me with bitterness.
If it is a matter of strength, look, he is mighty.
But if it is a matter of justice, who can summon me?
Even though I am righteous, my mouth will condemn me;
even though I am blameless, yet it would pronounce me guilty.
Copyright 2012 Lexham Press
KJV 1900King James Version
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.
For he breaketh me with a tempest,
And multiplieth my wounds without cause.
He will not suffer me to take my breath,
But filleth me with bitterness.
If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong:
And if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?
If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me:
If I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.
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