Giobbe 9:12-22

12 Ecco, egli rapirà, e chi gli farà far restituzione? Chi gli dirà: Che fai?

13 Iddio non raffrena l’ira sua; Sotto lui sono atterrati i bravi campioni.

14 Quanto meno gli risponderei io, Ed userei parole scelte contro a lui?

15 Io, che quantunque fossi giusto, non risponderei, Anzi chiederei grazia al mio Giudice.

16 Se io grido, ed egli mi risponde, Pur non potrò credere ch’egli abbia ascoltata la mia voce;

17 Conciossiachè egli mi abbia conquiso con un turbo, E mi abbia date di molte battiture senza cagione.

18 Egli non mi permette pur di respirare; Perciocchè egli mi sazia di amaritudini.

19 Se si tratta di forza, ecco, egli è potente; Se di giudicio, chi mi citerà?

20 Benchè io sia giusto, la mia bocca mi condannerà; Quantunque io sia intiero, ella mi dichiarerà perverso.

21 Benchè io sia intiero, io non riconoscerò me stesso; Io avrò a sdegno la vita mia.

22 Egli è tutt’uno; perciò ho detto: Egli distrugge ugualmente l’uomo intiero e l’empio.

Giobbe 9:12-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 9

This and the following chapter contain Job's answer to Bildad, and in this he asserts the strict justice at God; which is such, that no man can be just in his sight, not being able to answer to one charge, or for one sin, of a thousand he is guilty of, Job 9:1-3; and that such are his wisdom and power, that the most daring man cannot expect to succeed in an opposition to him, Job 9:4; instances are given of his power in the works of nature and providence, Job 9:5-10; notice is taken of the imperceptibleness of his actions and motions, and of his sovereignty in all his ways, Job 9:11,12; and of his fierce wrath and anger, which is such as obliges the proudest of men to stoop under him; and therefore Job chose not to contend in a judicial way with him, but in a suppliant manner would entreat him, since his hand was so heavy upon him, Job 9:13-21; he affirms, in direct opposition to Bildad and his friends, and insists upon it, that God afflicts both the righteous and the wicked; yea, gives the earth to the latter when he slays the former, Job 9:22-24; he then observes the shortness of his days, and complains of his heavy afflictions, Job 9:25-28; and concludes, that it was in vain for him to expect his cause to be heard before God, there being no daysman between them; and wishes that the dread of the Divine Majesty might be taken from him, and then he would freely and without fear speak unto him, Job 9:29-35.