“How much less, ¹  then, can I answer him ²  and choose my words ³  to argue ⁴  with ⁵  him! ⁶ 

biblegateway Job 9:14

"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 can I possibly answer God? How can I find the right words to speak with him?

biblegateway Job 9:14

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

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

bibleoremus Job 9:14

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

How much less can I answer him or find words to dispute with him?

biblegateway Job 9:14

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

How much less shall I answer him, [and] choose out my words [to reason] with him?

biblegateway Job 9:14

“How much less, ¹  then, can I answer him ²  and choose my words ³  to argue ⁴  with ⁵  him! ⁶ 

¹ tn The construction אַף כִּי־אָנֹכִי (’af ki ’anokhi) is an expression that means either “how much more” or “how much less.” Here it has to mean “how much less,” for if powerful forces like Rahab are crushed beneath God’s feet, how could Job contend with him?

² tn The imperfect verb here is to be taken with the nuance of a potential imperfect. The idea of “answer him” has a legal context, i.e., answering God in a court of law. If God is relentless in his anger toward greater powers, then Job realizes it is futile for him.

³ sn In a legal controversy with God it would be essential to choose the correct words very carefully (humanly speaking); but the calmness and presence of mind to do that would be shattered by the overwhelming terror of God’s presence.

⁴ tn The verb is supplied in this line.

⁵ tn The preposition אִם (’im, “with”) carries the idea of “in contest with” in a number of passages (compare vv. 2, 3; 16:21).

⁶ tn The LXX goes a different way after changing the first person to the third: “Oh then that he would hearken to me, or judge my cause.”