2 “Indeed, I know that this is true.

But how can mere mortals prove their innocence before God?

3 Though they wished to dispute with him,

they could not answer him one time out of a thousand.

4 His wisdom is profound, his power is vast.

Who has resisted him and come out unscathed?

2 “Truly I know that it is so:

But how can a man be in the right before God?

3 If one wished to contend with him,

one could not answer him once in a thousand times.

4 He is wise in heart and mighty in strength

—who has hardened himself against him, and succeeded?—

2 I know it is so of a truth:

But how should man be just with God?

3 If he will contend with him,

He cannot answer him one of a thousand.

4 He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength:

Who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?

2 “Truly I know it is so,

But how can a man be righteous before God?

3 If one wished to contend with Him,

He could not answer Him one time out of a thousand.

4 God is wise in heart and mighty in strength.

Who has hardened himself against Him and prospered?

2 “Yes, I know that this is true,

but how can anyone be right in the presence of God?

3 Someone might want to argue with God,

but no one could answer God,

not one time out of a thousand.

4 God’s wisdom is deep, and his power is great;

no one can fight him without getting hurt.

2 Of a truth I know that it is so:

But how can man be just with God?

3 If he be pleased to contend with him,

He cannot answer him one of a thousand.

4 He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength:

Who hath hardened himself against him, and prospered?—

2 Of a truth I know it is so; but how can man be just with •God? 3 If he shall choose to strive with him, he cannot answer him one thing of a thousand. 4 He is wise in heart and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and had peace?

2 “Yes, I know that this is true. 

But how can a mortal be declared righteous to God? 

3 If he wished to debate with God, 

he wouldn’t be able to answer one question in a thousand. 

4 “God is wise in heart and mighty in power. 

Who could oppose him and win? 

2 Yes, I know what you’ve said is true,

but how can a person be justified before God?

3 If one wanted to take Him to court,

he could not answer God once in a thousand times.

4 God is wise and all-powerful.

Who has opposed Him and come out unharmed?

2 “Indeed I know that this is so;

but how can a mortal be just before God?

3 If one wished to contend with him,

one could not answer him once in a thousand.

4 He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength

—who has resisted him, and succeeded?—

2 “Truly I know that it is so,

but how can a human being be just before God?

3 If he wants to contend with him,

he cannot answer him one time in a thousand.

4 He is wise in heart and mighty in strength;

who has resisted him and succeeded?

2 “I’m sure that what you have said is true.

But how can human beings be right with God?

3 They might wish to argue with him.

But they couldn’t answer him

even once in a thousand times.

4 His wisdom is deep. His power is great.

No one opposes him and comes away unharmed.

2 “In truth I know that this is so;

But how can a man be in the right before God?

3 “If one wished to dispute with Him,

He could not answer Him once in a thousand times.

4 “Wise in heart and mighty in strength,

Who has defied Him without harm?