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12 Should he seize me forcibly, who can resist?
    Who can say to him, “What are you doing?”
13 He is God and he does not relent;
    the helpers of Rahab[a] bow beneath him.
14 How then could I give him any answer,
    or choose out arguments against him!
15 Even though I were right, I could not answer,(A)
    but should rather beg for what was due me.
16 If I appealed to him and he answered me,
    I could not believe that he would listen to me;
17 With a storm he might overwhelm me,
    and multiply my wounds for nothing;
18 He would not allow me to draw breath,
    but might fill me with bitter griefs.
19 If it be a question of strength, he is mighty;
    or of judgment, who will call him to account?
20 Though I were right, my own mouth might condemn me;(B)
    were I innocent, it might put me in the wrong.

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Footnotes

  1. 9:13 Rahab: another name for the primeval sea-monster; see notes on 3:8 and Ps 89:11; cf. Jb 7:12; 26:12.

12 If he snatches away, who can stop him?(A)
    Who can say to him, ‘What are you doing?’(B)
13 God does not restrain his anger;(C)
    even the cohorts of Rahab(D) cowered at his feet.

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

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Footnotes

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