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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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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.