Job 9:14–16

14 “How then can I dispute with him?

How can I find words to argue with him?

15 Though I were innocent, I could not answer him;

I could only plead with my Judge for mercy.

16 Even if I summoned him and he responded,

I do not believe he would give me a hearing.

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.

14 “So who am I, that I should try to answer God

or even reason with him?

15 Even if I were right, I would have no defense.

I could only plead for mercy.

16 And even if I summoned him and he responded,

I’m not sure he would listen to me.

14 “How then can I answer Him,

And choose my words to reason with Him?

15 For though I were righteous, I could not answer Him;

I would beg mercy of my Judge.

16 If I called and He answered me,

I would not believe that He was listening to my voice.

14 So how can I argue with God,

or even find words to argue with him?

15 Even if I were right, I could not answer him;

I could only beg God, my Judge, for mercy.

16 If I called to him and he answered,

I still don’t believe he would listen to 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;

I would make supplication to my judge.

16 If I had called, and he had answered me,

Yet would I not believe that he hearkened unto my voice.

14 How much less shall I answer him, choose out my words to strive with him? 15 Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer; I would make supplication to my judge. 16 If I had called, and he had answered me, I would not believe that he hearkened to my voice, —

14 “How can I possibly answer God? 

How can I find the right words ⸤to speak⸥ with him? 

15 Even if I were right, I could not answer ⸤him⸥. 

I would have to plead for mercy from my judge. 

16 If I cried out and he answered me, 

I do not believe that he would listen to me. 

14 How then can I answer Him

or choose my arguments against Him?

15 Even if I were in the right, I could not answer.

I could only beg my Judge for mercy.

16 If I summoned Him and He answered me,

I do not believe He would pay attention to what I said.

14 How then can I answer him,

choosing my words with him?

15 Though I am innocent, I cannot answer him;

I must appeal to my accuser for my right.

16 If I summoned him and he answered me,

I do not believe that he would listen to my voice.

14 How much less can I myself answer him?

How can I choose my words with him,

15 whom I cannot answer, even though I am righteous?

From my judge I must implore grace.

16 If I summon him, and he should answer me,

I do not believe that he will listen to my voice—

14 “So how can I disagree with God?

How can I possibly argue with him?

15 Even if I hadn’t done anything wrong,

I couldn’t answer him.

I could only beg my Judge to have mercy on me.

16 Suppose I called out to him and he answered.

I don’t believe he’d listen to me.

14 “How then can I answer Him,

And choose my words before Him?

15 “For though I were right, I could not answer;

I would have to implore the mercy of my judge.

16 “If I called and He answered me,

I could not believe that He was listening to my voice.