the Second Week after Easter
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Easy-to-Read Version
Job 9:14
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- CharlesParallel Translations
How then can I answer himor choose my arguments against him?
How much less shall I answer him, Choose my words to argue with him?
How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him?
How then can I answer him, choosing my words with him?
So how can I argue with God, or even find words to argue with him?
"How much less, then, can I answer him and choose my words to argue with him!
"How can I answer Him [and plead my case], Choosing my words [to reason] with Him?
"How then can I answer Him, And choose my words before Him?
How much less shall I answer him, Choose my words to argue with him?
Howe much lesse shall I answere him? or howe should I finde out my words with him?
How then can I answer Him,And choose my words before Him?
How then can I answer Him or choose my arguments against Him?
How, then, could I possibly argue my case with God?
"How much less can I answer him and select my arguments against him!
How much less shall I answer him, choose out my words [to strive] with him?
I will answer him also, and choose out my words in his presence.
So how can I find words to answer God?
How much less can I myself answer him? How can I choose my words with him,
How much less shall I answer Him, and choose my words with Him!
How shulde I then answere him? or, what wordes shulde I fynde out agaynst him?
How much less shall I answer him, And choose out my words to reason with him?
How much less may I give an answer to him, using the right words in argument with him?
How much less shall I answer Him, and choose out my arguments with Him?
How much lesse shall I answere him, and choose out my words to reason with him?
Howe much lesse shall I aunswere him? or howe shoulde I finde out my wordes with him?
Oh then that he would hearken to me, or judge my cause.
How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him?
Hou greet am Y, that Y answere to hym, and speke bi my wordis with hym?
How much less shall I answer him, And choose out my words [to reason] with him?
How much less shall I answer him, [and] choose out my words [to reason] with him?
"How then can I answer Him, And choose my words to reason with Him?
"So who am I, that I should try to answer God or even reason with him?
How then can I answer Him, and choose the right words to speak with Him?
How then can I answer him, choosing my words with him?
How much less that, I, should answer him, should choose my words with him?
What am I then, that I should answer him, and have words with him?
How then can I answer him, choosing my words with him?
How much less do I -- I answer Him? Choose out my words with Him?
"So how could I ever argue with him, construct a defense that would influence God? Even though I'm innocent I could never prove it; I can only throw myself on the Judge's mercy. If I called on God and he himself answered me, then, and only then, would I believe that he'd heard me. As it is, he knocks me about from pillar to post, beating me up, black-and-blue, for no good reason. He won't even let me catch my breath, piles bitterness upon bitterness. If it's a question of who's stronger, he wins, hands down! If it's a question of justice, who'll serve him the subpoena? Even though innocent, anything I say incriminates me; blameless as I am, my defense just makes me sound worse.
"How then can I answer Him, And choose my words before Him?
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
How much: Job 4:19, Job 25:6, 1 Kings 8:27
shall I: Job 11:4, Job 11:5
choose: Job 23:4, Job 23:7, Job 33:5
Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 6:18 - how much Job 13:3 - I desire Job 33:13 - strive Job 35:15 - because Job 36:5 - mighty
Gill's Notes on the Bible
How much less shall I answer him,.... Who is wise in heart, and mighty in strength, and has done and does the many things before related; who is invisible, passes by, and onwards insensibly; so that there is no knowing where to speak to him, or how to guard against him, since he can come on on every side, at an unawares, and unseen; and who is a sovereign Being, who can do, and does, whatever he pleases; and therefore there is no such thing as disputing any point with him, or calling him to an account for anything done by him: and if the great men of the earth, proud and haughty tyrants, and those prouder spirits, if possible, the infernal principalities and powers, are obliged to bend and stoop to him; how should such a poor, weak, feeble creature as Job was, enter the lists with him, contend with God, and argue with him about his dispensations, or answer to any argument, objection, charge, or article exhibited against him? here Job speaks humbly and meanly of himself, as he in the whole context before speaks highly of God, between whom there was no comparison:
[and] choose out my words [to reason] with him? suggesting, that should he pick out words the most fit and proper to be used, and put them together in the most exact order, and which had the greatest force of persuasion and strength of reasoning in them, yet they would be of no avail with God; these could have no influence upon him to turn his mind, or alter either his purposes or his providences; and therefore concluded it was best for him to be silent and make no reply; but if he said anything, to do it in a supplicating way, as follows.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
How much less shall I answer him? - I, who am so feeble, how can I contend with him? If the most mighty objects in the universe are under his control; if the constellations are directed by him; if the earth is shaken, and mountains moved from their places, by his power, and if the men of most exalted rank are prostrated by him, how can I presume to contend with God? This is the common view which is given of the passage, and is evidently that which our translators entertained. But I have given in the translation what appears to me to be a more literal version, and to express a better sense - though, I confess, the translation differs from all that I have seen. According to this, the sense is simply, that such was the veneration which Job had for the character of God, that should he attempt to answer him, he would select his words with the utmost care and attention.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Job 9:14. How much less shall I answer — I cannot contend with my Maker. He is the Lawgiver and the Judge. How shall I stand in judgment before him?
