Chapter 9
1 Then Job (Hated-masculine) answered [`anah] and said ['amar],
2 I surely ['omnam] know [yada`] that [kiy] is so [ken]: but how can [mah] a mortal ['enowsh-masculine] be just [tsadaq] with El (Mighty One-singular)?
3 If ['im] he desires [chaphets] to ['el] contend [riyb] with Him, he cannot [lo'] answer [`anah] Him one ['echad] from [min] a thousand ['eleph-masculine].
4 Wise [chakam] of heart [lebab-masculine], and strong ['ammiyts] in power [koach-masculine]: who [miy] has hardened [qashah] himself against Him, and has been at peace [shalam]?
5 Who shifts [`athaq] the mountains [harim-masculine], and they know [yada`] not [lo'] what ['asher] overturns [haphak] them in his anger ['aph-masculine]?
6 Who shakes [ragaz] the earth ['erets-feminine] from [min] her place [maqowm-masculine], and her pillars [`ammuwd-masculine] tremble [palats]?
7 Who says ['amar] to ['el] the sun [cherec-masculine], and he does not [lo'] rise [zarach]; and He seals up [chatham] the stars [kowkabim-masculine].
8 Who alone [bad-masculine] spreads out [natah] the heavens [shamayim-masculine], and treads [darak] upon [`al] the waves (high places) [bamah-feminine] of the sea [yam-masculine].
9 Who makes [`asah] Great Bear/Ursa Major [`Ayish-feminine], Orion (Foolish Giant) [Kĕciyl-masculine] and Pleiades (Seven Stars) [Kiymah-collective feminine], and the chambers [cheder-masculine] of the south [teyman-feminine].
10 Who does [`asah] great things [gadowl-masculine] till [`ad] there is no [ 'ayin] searching [cheqer-masculine]; and wonderful things [pala'] till [`ad] there is no ['ayin] numbering [micpar-masculine].
11 Lo [hen], She passes [`abar] over [`al] me, and I see [ra'ah] Her not [lo']: and She passes on [chalaph], but I perceive [biyn] Her not [lo'].
12 Behold [hen], She takes away [chathaph], who [miy] can hinder [shuwb] Her? Who [miy] will say ['amar] to ['el] Her, 'What [mah] are You [singular] doing [`asah]?'
13 If Eloah (feminine) will not [lo'] withdraw [shuwb] Her anger ['aph-masculine], the proud [rahab-masculine] helpers [`azar], they bow down [shachach] underneath [tachath] Her.
14 How much less ['aph] shall I answer [`anah] Her, and choose out [bachar] my words [dabarim-masculine] to reason with [`im] Her?
15 Whom ['asher], if ['im] I were righteous [tsadaq], yet would I not [lo'] answer [`anah], but I would seek favor [chanan] to ['el] my governor [shaphat].
16 If ['im] I had called [qara'], and She had answered [`anah] me; yet would I not [lo'] believe ['aman] that She had hearkened [ 'azan] to ['el] my voice [qowl-masculine].
17 For She breaks [shuwph] me with a tempest [seh`arah-feminine], and multiplies [rabah] my wounds [petsa`-masculine] without cause [chinnam].
18 She will not giving me [nathan] to restore [shuwb] my spirit [ruwach-feminine], but fills [saba`] me with bitterness[mamror-masculine].
19 If ['im] I speak of strength [koach-masculine], lo [hinneh], She is mighty [ 'ammiyts]: and if ['im] of judgment [mishpat-masculine], who [miy] shall set a time [ya`ad] for me to plead?
20 If ['im] I ['aniy] justify [tsadaq] myself, my own mouth [peh-masculine], he shall act wickedly [rasha`]: if I say, I am perfect [tam], he (the mouth) shall also declare me perverse [`aqash].
21 Though I were perfect [tam], yet would I ['aniy] not [lo'] know [yada`] my soul [nephesh-feminine]: I would despise [ma'ac] my life [chay-masculine/feminine].
22 This is one thing ['echad], therefore I said [`amar], "She brings to an end [kalah] the perfect [tam] and the wicked [rasha`].
23 If the scourge [showt-masculine] slay [muwth] suddenly [pith'owm], She will mock [la`ag] at the despair [maccah-feminine] of the innocent [naqiy].
24 The earth ['erets-feminine] is given [nathan] into the hand [yad-feminine] of the wicked [rasha`]: She covers [kacah] the faces [paniym-masculine] of the judges [shaphat] thereof, if not, what then ['ephow], and who is She ?"
25 Now my days [yom-masculine] are swifter [qalal] than runners [ruwts]: they run away [barach], they see [ra'ah] no good [towb-masculine/feminine].
26 They pass by [chalaph] as the papyrus reed ['ebeh-masculine] ships ['oniyah-feminine]: as the eagle [nesher-masculine] that dashes upon [tuws] their food ['okel-masculine].
27 If ['im] I say ['amar], I will forget [shakach] my complaint [siyach-masculine], I will forsake [`azab] my face [paniym-masculine], and smile [balag]:
28 I am afraid [yagor] of all my sorrows [`atstebeth-feminine], I know [yada`] that You wilt not hold me innocent [naqah].
29 If ['im] I be wicked [rasha`], why then labour [yaga`] I in vanity [hebel-masculine]?
30 If I wash [rachats] myself with [bĕmow] snow [sheleg-masculine] water [mayim-masculine], and make my palms [kaph-feminine] clean with lye [bor-masculine] and shiney [zakak];
31 Then ['az] shall You plunge [tabal] me in the ditch [shchath-feminine], and my own clothes [salmah-feminine] shall abhor [ta`ab] me.
32 For [kiy] He is not a man ['ish-masculine] , like me [kĕmow], that I should answer [`anah] Him, and we should come [bow'] together [yachad-masculine] in judgment [mishpat-masculine].
33 Neither [lo'] is there [yesh] any judge [yakach] between [beyn] us, that might set [shiyth] his hand [yad-feminine] upon us both [shĕnayim-masculine/feminine].
34 Let Him remove [cuwr] His rod [shebet-masculine] from me, and let not His Terror ['eymah-feminine] dismay [ba`ath] me:
35 Then would I speak [dabar], and not be afaid [yare'] of Him; but [kiy] not [lo'] so [ken] with me [ 'anokiy].