Ayub (Job) — 9

Ayub’s Third Speech: A Response to Bildad

1 Then Ayub spoke again:

2 “Yes, I know all this is true in principle. But how can a person be declared innocent in the sight of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH?

3 If someone wanted to take 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH to court, would it be possible to answer Him even once in a thousand times?

4 For 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH is so wise and so mighty. Who has ever challenged Him successfully?

5 “Without warning, He moves the mountains, overturning them in His anger.

6 He shakes the Arath from its place, and its foundations tremble.

7 If 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH commands it, the sun won’t rise and the stars won’t shine.

8 For 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH alone has spread out the Shamaym and marches on the waves of the sea.

9 And 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH made all the stars, the Bear and Orion, the Plaiades and the constellations of the southern sky.

10 He does great things too marvelous to understand. 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH performs countless miracles.

11 “Yet when 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH comes near, I cannot see Him. When He moves by, I do not see Him go.

12 If He snatches someone in death, who can stop Him? Who dares to ask, ‘What are you doing?’

13 For 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH does not restrain His anger. Even the monsters of the sea are crushed beneath His feet.

14 “So who am I, that I should try to answer my 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH 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 am not sure He would listen to me.

17 For 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH attacks me with a storm and repeatedly wounds me without cause.

18 He will not let me catch my breath, but fills me instead with bitter sorrows.

19 If it is a question of strength, 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH is the strong one. If it is a matter of justice, who dares to summon 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH to court

20 Though I am innocent, my own mouth would pronounce me guilty. Though I am blameless, it would prove me wicked.

21 “I am innocent, but it makes no difference to me,  I despise my life.

22 Innocent or wicked, it is all the same to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH. That is why I say, 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH destroys both the blameless and the wicked.’

23 When a plague sweeps through, 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH laughs at the death of the innocent.

24 The whole Arath is in the hands of the wicked, and 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH blinds the eyes of the judges. If He is not the one who does it, who is?

25 “My life passes more swiftly than a runner. It flees away without a glimpse of happiness.

26 It disappears like a swift papyrus boat,    like an eagle swooping down on its prey.

27 If I decided to forget my complaints, to put away my sad face and be cheerful,

28 I would still dread all the pain, for I know you will not find me innocent, O 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH

29 Whatever happens, I will be found guilty. So what is the use of trying?

30 Even if I were to wash myself with soap and clean my hands with lye,

31 you would plunge me into a muddy ditch, and my own filthy clothing would hate me.

32 For 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH is not a mortal like me, so I cannot argue with Him or take Him to trial.

33 If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together.

34 The mediator could make 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH stop beating me, and I would no longer live in terror of His punishment.

35 Then I could speak to him without fear, but I cannot do that in my own strength.