Job 9:25-34 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

25. "God, my days race by like a runner. They fly away without seeing any joy.

26. They speed along like papyrus boats. They are like eagles swooping down on their food.

27. Suppose I say, 'I'll forget about all of my problems. I'll change my frown into a smile.'

28. Then I'd still be afraid I'd go on suffering. That's because I know you would say I had done something wrong.

29. In fact, you have already said I'm guilty. So why should I struggle without any reason?

30. Suppose I clean myself with soap. Suppose I wash my hands with cleanser.

31. Even then you would throw me into a muddy pit. And even my clothes would hate me.

32. "God isn't a man like me. I can't answer him. We can't take each other to court.

33. I wish someone would settle matters between us. I wish someone would force us to work things out.

34. I wish someone would keep God from punishing me. Then his terror wouldn't frighten me anymore.

Job 9