Job 9:14 - Forerunner Commentary

Job 9:14

12 ^aIf He takes away,¹ who can hinder Him?
Who can say to Him, ‘What are You doing?’

13 God will not withdraw His anger,
^aThe allies of¹ the proud lie prostrate beneath Him.

14 “How then can I answer Him,
And choose my words to reason with Him?

15 ^aFor 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.

17 For He crushes me with a tempest,
And multiplies my wounds ^awithout cause.

18 He will not allow me to catch my breath,
But fills me with bitterness.

19 If it is a matter of strength, indeed He is strong;
And if of justice, who will appoint my day in court?

20 Though I were righteous, my own mouth would condemn me;
Though I were blameless, it would prove me perverse.

21 “I am blameless, yet I do not know myself;
I despise my life.

Verse Comparison: Job 9:14

American Standard Version
How much less shall I answer him, And choose out my words `to reason' with him?

Amplified® Bible
How much less shall I answer Him, choosing out my words to reason with Him

Contemporary English Version
How, then, could I possibly argue my case with God?

Darby English Version
How much less shall I answer him, choose out my words [to strive] with him?

Good News Bible
So how can I find words to answer God?

King James Version
How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him?

New American Standard Bible
"How then can I answer Him, {And} choose my words before Him?

New International Version
"How then can I dispute with him?
How can I find words to argue with him?

New King James Version
“How then can I answer Him,
And choose my words to reason with Him?

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
"How then can I answer Him, And choose my words before Him?

Revised Standard Version
How then can I answer him, choosing my words with him?

Young's Literal Translation
How much less do I -- I answer Him? Choose out my words with Him?

New English Translation
“How much less,¹ then, can I answer him² and choose my words³ to argue⁴ with⁵ him!⁶