Job 9:16-35

16Even if I called and He answered me, I would not believe that He would listen to my voice.

17He who crushes me with a storm and multiplies my wounds for no reason.

18He does not allow me to catch my breath, but fills me with bitterness.

19If it is a question of strength— certainly, He is the mighty One! If it is a matter of justice— who will summon me?

20Even if I were innocent, my mouth would condemn me. If I were guiltless, it will declare me perverse.

21“I am guiltless. I have no concern for myself. I despise my life.

22It is all the same, therefore I say, ‘He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.’

23If a scourge smites suddenly, He mocks the despair of the innocent.

24If the land falls into the hand of the wicked He blindfolds the faces of its judges. If it is not He, then who is it?

25“My days are swifter than a runner; they flee away without seeing goodness.

26They slip by like reed boats, like an eagle swooping down on its prey.

27If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will put off my sad face and be cheerful,’

28I still dread all my pains, for I know You will not find me innocent.

29If I am condemned— why should I struggle in vain?

30If I wash myself with melted snow and cleanse my hands with lye,

31then You would plunge me into a pit and my own clothes would detest me.

32For He is not a human being, like I am, that I could answer Him, that we could go to court together.

33There is no arbitrator between us, who could lay his hand on us both;

34who could remove His rod from me, so that His terror would not frighten me.

35Then I would speak and not fear Him —except it is not so with me.”