9: 2 Of a truth I know that it is so: 81But how can man be just 82with God?
81Or, For
82Or, before
9: 3 83If he be pleased to contend with him, He cannot answer him one question of a thousand.
83Or, If one should desire … he could not answer etc.
9: 4 He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: Who hath hardened himself against him, and prospered? —
9: 5 Him that removeth mountains, and they know it not, When he overturneth them in his anger;
9: 6 That shaketh the earth out of its place, And the pillars thereof tremble;
9: 7 That commandeth the sun, and it riseth not, And sealeth up the stars;
9: 8 That alone stretcheth out the heavens, And treadeth upon the 84waves of the sea;
84Hb. high places of the sea;
9: 9 That maketh 85Ursa Major, Orion, and the Pleiades, And the chambers of the south;
85Gesenius and Rotherham say, the Wain (Wagon); Seiss and Bullinger say, the Greater Sheepfold. The constellation now known as Ursa Major. Cf. ch. 38:31-32.
9: 10 That doeth great things past finding out, Yes, marvellous things without number.
9: 11 Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: He passeth on also, but I perceive him not.
9: 12 Behold, he seizeth the prey, who can 86hinder him? Who will say unto him, What doest thou?
86Or, turn him back
9: 13 God will not withdraw his anger; The helpers of 87Rahab 88do stoop under him.
87Or, arrogancy See Is 30:7.
88Or, did
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; 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 hearkened unto my voice.
9: 17 89For he breaketh me with a tempest, And multiplieth my wounds without cause.
89Hb. He who breaketh me with a tempest,
9: 18 He will not suffer me to take my breath, But filleth me with bitterness.
9: 19 If we speak of strength, 90lo, he is mighty! And if of justice, Who, saith he, will summon me?
90Or, Lo, here am I, saith he; and if of judgment, Who
9: 20 Though I be righteous, mine own mouth shall condemn me: Though I be perfect, 91it shall prove me perverse.
91Or, he
9: 21 92I am perfect; I regard not mine own soul; I despise my life.
92Or, Though I be perfect, I will not regard myself;
9: 22 It is all one; therefore I say, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.
9: 23 If the scourge slay suddenly, He will mock at the 93trial of the innocent.
93Or, calamity
9: 24 The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; He covereth the faces of the judges thereof: If it be not he, who then is it?
9: 25 Now my days are 94swifter than a 95post: They flee away, they see no good.
94Lit. lighter
95Or, runner:
9: 26 They are passed away as the 96swift ships; As the eagle that swoopeth on the prey.
96Hb. ships of reed;
9: 27 If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will put off my sad countenance, and 97be of good cheer;
97Hb. brighten up;
9: 28 I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.
9: 29 I shall be condemned; Why then do I labor in vain?
9: 30 If I wash myself 98with snow water, And 99make my hands never so clean;
98Hbmg reads with snow,
99Hb. cleanse my hands with lye;
9: 31 Yet wilt thou plunge me in the ditch, And mine own clothes shall abhor me.
9: 32 For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, That we should come together in judgment.
9: 33 There 100is no umpire betwixt us, That might lay his hand upon us both.
100Sept., Aram. read O that there were an umpire etc.
9: 34 Let him take his rod away from me, And let not his terror make me afraid:
9: 35 Then would I speak, and not fear him; For I am not so in myself.
