Job 9:3,14-15
Job 9:1-13 The Message (MSG)
Job continued by saying: “So what’s new? I know all this. The question is, ‘How can mere mortals get right with God?’ If we wanted to bring our case before him, what chance would we have? Not one in a thousand! God’s wisdom is so deep, God’s power so immense, who could take him on and come out in one piece? He moves mountains before they know what’s happened, flips them on their heads on a whim. He gives the earth a good shaking up, rocks it down to its very foundations. He tells the sun, ‘Don’t shine,’ and it doesn’t; he pulls the blinds on the stars. All by himself he stretches out the heavens and strides on the waves of the sea. He designed the Big Dipper and Orion, the Pleiades and Alpha Centauri. We’ll never comprehend all the great things he does; his miracle-surprises can’t be counted. Somehow, though he moves right in front of me, I don’t see him; quietly but surely he’s active, and I miss it. If he steals you blind, who can stop him? Who’s going to say, ‘Hey, what are you doing?’ God doesn’t hold back on his anger; even dragon-bred monsters cringe before him.
Job 9:14-20-14-20 The Message (MSG)
“So how could I ever argue with him, construct a defense that would influence God? Even though I’m innocent I could never prove it; I can only throw myself on the Judge’s mercy. If I called on God and he himself answered me, then, and only then, would I believe that he’d heard me. As it is, he knocks me about from pillar to post, beating me up, black-and-blue, for no good reason. He won’t even let me catch my breath, piles bitterness upon bitterness. If it’s a question of who’s stronger, he wins, hands down! If it’s a question of justice, who’ll serve him the subpoena? Even though innocent, anything I say incriminates me; blameless as I am, my defense just makes me sound worse.
Job 9:3 King James Version (KJV)
If he will contend with him, He cannot answer him one of a thousand.
Job 9:14-15 King James Version (KJV)
How much less shall I answer him, And choose out my words to reason with him? Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, But I would make supplication to my judge.
Job 9:3 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
If one wished to dispute with Him, He could not answer Him once in a thousand times.
Job 9:14-15 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
How then can I answer Him, And choose my words before Him? For though I were right, I could not answer; I would have to implore the mercy of my judge.
Job 9:3 New Century Version (NCV)
Someone might want to argue with God, but no one could answer God, not one time out of a thousand.
Job 9:14-15 New Century Version (NCV)
So how can I argue with God, or even find words to argue with him? Even if I were right, I could not answer him; I could only beg God, my Judge, for mercy.
Job 9:3 American Standard Version (ASV)
If he be pleased to contend with him, He cannot answer him one of a thousand.
Job 9:14-15 American Standard Version (ASV)
How much less shall I answer him, And choose out my words to reason with him? Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer; I would make supplication to my judge.
Job 9:3 New International Version (NIV)
Though they wished to dispute with him, they could not answer him one time out of a thousand.
Job 9:14-15 New International Version (NIV)
“How then can I dispute with him? How can I find words to argue with him? Though I were innocent, I could not answer him; I could only plead with my Judge for mercy.
Job 9:3 New King James Version (NKJV)
If one wished to contend with Him, He could not answer Him one time out of a thousand.
Job 9:14-15 New King James Version (NKJV)
“How then can I answer Him, And choose my words to reason with Him? For though I were righteous, I could not answer Him; I would beg mercy of my Judge.
Job 9:3 Amplified Bible (AMP)
“If one should want to contend or dispute with Him, He could not answer Him once in a thousand times.
Job 9:14-15 Amplified Bible (AMP)
“How can I answer Him [and plead my case], Choosing my words [to reason] with Him? “For though I were righteous, I could not answer. I must appeal for mercy to my Opponent and Judge.
Job 9:3 New Living Translation (NLT)
If someone wanted to take God to court, would it be possible to answer him even once in a thousand times?
Job 9:14-15 New Living Translation (NLT)
“So who am I, that I should try to answer God or even reason with him? Even if I were right, I would have no defense. I could only plead for mercy.