9:1   Yes, I've heard all that before. But how can a human being win a case against God?

9:2   (SEE 9:1)

9:3   How can anyone argue with him? He can ask a thousand questions that no one could ever answer.

9:4   God is so wise and powerful; no one can stand up against him.

9:5   Without warning he moves mountains and in anger he destroys them.

9:6   God sends earthquakes and shakes the ground; he rocks the pillars that support the earth.

9:7   He can keep the sun from rising, and the stars from shining at night.

9:8   No one helped God spread out the heavens or trample the sea monster's back.

9:9   God hung the stars in the sky---the Dipper, Orion, the Pleiades, and the stars of the south.

9:10   We cannot understand the great things he does, and to his miracles there is no end.

9:11   God passes by, but I cannot see him.

9:12   He takes what he wants, and no one can stop him; no one dares ask him, "What are you doing?"

9:13   God's anger is constant. He crushed his enemies who helped Rahab, the sea monster, oppose him.

9:14   So how can I find words to answer God?

9:15   Though I am innocent, all I can do is beg for mercy from God my judge.

9:16   Yet even then, if he lets me speak, I can't believe he would listen to me.

9:17   He sends storms to batter and bruise me without any reason at all.

9:18   He won't let me catch my breath; he has filled my life with bitterness.

9:19   Should I try force? Try force on God? Should I take him to court? Could anyone make him go?

9:20   I am innocent and faithful, but my words sound guilty, and everything I say seems to condemn me.

9:21   I am innocent, but I no longer care. I am sick of living. Nothing matters; innocent or guilty, God will destroy us.

9:22   (SEE 9:21)

9:23   When an innocent person suddenly dies, God laughs.

9:24   God gave the world to the wicked. He made all the judges blind. And if God didn't do it, who did?

9:25   My days race by, not one of them good.

9:26   My life passes like the swiftest boat, as fast as an eagle swooping down on a rabbit.

9:27   If I smile and try to forget my pain, all my suffering comes back to haunt me; I know that God does hold me guilty.

9:28   (SEE 9:27)

9:29   Since I am held guilty, why should I bother?

9:30   No soap can wash away my sins.

9:31   God throws me into a pit with filth, and even my clothes are ashamed of me.

9:32   If God were human, I could answer him; we could go to court to decide our quarrel.

9:33   But there is no one to step between us--- no one to judge both God and me.

9:34   Stop punishing me, God! Keep your terrors away!

9:35   I am not afraid. I am going to talk because I know my own heart.