9:1
The Second Response: The Terrifying Sovereignty of El
Then Iyob answered and said,
Reader Chapter
Iyub 9
Iyub chapter 9 in the Qadmoni reader. Read the full chapter text with direct verse references and continue into the interactive reader.
Browse Iyub chapter index9:2
I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with El?
9:3
If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.
9:4
He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?
9:5
The Unsearchable Power over Creation
Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in his anger.
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Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble.
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Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.
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Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea.
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Which maketh Ash, Kesiyl, and Kiymah, and the chambers of the south.
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Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.
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The Invisible Operations of the Court
Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not.
9:12
Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?
9:13
The Inability to Contend in Court
If Eloah will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him.
9:14
How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him?
9:15
Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge.
9:16
If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice.
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For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.
9:18
He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness.
9:19
If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?
9:20
If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.
9:21
Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life.
9:22
The Paradox of the Innocent and the Wicked
This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.
9:23
If the scourge slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent.
9:24
The Earth in the Hand of the Adversary
The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he?
9:25
The Fleeing of Time
Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good.
9:26
They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey.
9:27
If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself:
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I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.
9:29
If I be wicked, why then labour I in vain?
9:30
The Futility of Fleshly Cleansing
If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;
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Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.
9:32
The Cry for a Daysman (Mediator)
For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment.
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Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.
9:34
Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me:
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Then would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me.