Job 27:4

4 I refuse to say one word that isn't true. I refuse to confess to any charge that's false.

Job 27:4 Meaning and Commentary

Job 27:4

My lips shall not speak wickedness
This is the thing he swears to, this the matter of his oath, not only that he would not speak a wicked word not anything corrupt, unsavoury, unchaste, profane, and idle nor speak evil of his neighbours and friends or of any man; but that he would not speak wickedly of himself, as he must do, if he owned himself to be a wicked man and an hypocrite as his friends charged him, and they would have had him confessed; but he swears he would not utter such wickedness as long as he had any breath in him:

nor my tongue utter deceit;
which respects the same thing; not merely any fallacy or lie, or what might impose upon and deceive another, which yet he was careful of; but such deceit and falsehood as would be a belying himself, which would be the case should he say that he was devoid of integrity and sincerity.

Job 27:4 In-Context

2 "God-Alive! He's denied me justice! God Almighty! He's ruined my life!
3 But for as long as I draw breath, and for as long as God breathes life into me,
4 I refuse to say one word that isn't true. I refuse to confess to any charge that's false.
5 There is no way I'll ever agree to your accusations. I'll not deny my integrity even if it costs me my life.
6 I'm holding fast to my integrity and not loosening my grip - and, believe me, I'll never regret it.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.