14 “How then can I dispute with him?
    How can I find words to argue with him?(A)
15 Though I were innocent, I could not answer him;(B)
    I could only plead(C) with my Judge(D) for mercy.(E)
16 Even if I summoned him and he responded,
    I do not believe he would give me a hearing.(F)
17 He would crush me(G) with a storm(H)
    and multiply(I) my wounds for no reason.(J)
18 He would not let me catch my breath
    but would overwhelm me with misery.(K)
19 If it is a matter of strength, he is mighty!(L)
    And if it is a matter of justice, who can challenge him[a]?(M)
20 Even if I were innocent, my mouth would condemn me;
    if I were blameless, it would pronounce me guilty.(N)

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Footnotes

  1. Job 9:19 See Septuagint; Hebrew me.

14 How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him?

15 Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge.

16 If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice.

17 For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.

18 He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness.

19 If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?

20 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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33 If only there were someone to mediate between us,(A)
    someone to bring us together,(B)
34 someone to remove God’s rod from me,(C)
    so that his terror would frighten me no more.(D)

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33 Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.

34 Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me:

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