---
title: Joseph Smith Translation (1867 edition)
description: Job from the Joseph Smith Translation (JST), 1867 edition.
authors:
  - Smith, Joseph, Jr.
collections:
  - joseph-smith
tags:
  - translation
published: "1867"
publisher: RLDS Publication Board
publisher_place: Plano, Illinois
publisher_note: "The title page reads: Published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Joseph Smith, I. L. Rogers, E. Robinson, Publishing Committee; 1867."
edition: First edition (Plano, 1867)
language: en
type: book
chapter: 9
verse_count: 35
reference: "Joseph Smith Jr., *Joseph Smith Translation*, first edition (Plano, IL: RLDS Publication Board, 1867), Job, chap. 9, https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft."
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft
  identifier: holyscripturestr00smituoft
  scan: University of Toronto / Trinity College Library copy, Internet Archive
  transcription: "OCR text of the 1867 scans (Toronto copy and a second copy, holyscriptures00smit), reconciled word by word; Romans was also checked against the page images. Method, per-chapter validation log and known limits: docs/jst-1867-import.md."
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: 1867 US publication
  source: https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft
  publication_year: 1867
---

# Job 9

*God's justice- — Man's innocency is not to be condemned by afflictions.*

**1** THEN Job answered and said, 2
**2** I know it is so of a truth; but how should man be just with God?
**3** If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.
**4** He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength; who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?
**5** Which removeth the mountains, and they know not; which overturneth them in his anger;
**6** Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble;
**7** Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars;
**8** Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea;
**9** Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south;
**10** Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.
**11** Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not; he passeth on also, but I perceive him not.
**12** Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?
**13** If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him.
**14** How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him?
**15** Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge.
**16** If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice.
**17** For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.
**18** He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness.
**19** If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong; and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?
**20** If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me; if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.
**21** Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul; I would despise my life.
**22** This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.
**23** If the scourge slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent.
**24** The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he?
**25** Now my days are swifter than a post; they flee away, they see no good.
**26** They are passed away as the swift ships; as the eagle that hasteth to the prey.
**27** If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself;
**28** I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.
**29** If I be wicked, why then labour I in vain?
**30** If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;
**31** Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.
**32** For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment.
**33** Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.
**34** Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me;
**35** Then would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me.