Job 9:15-25

15 Even if I were right, I wouldn't answer; I could only ask for mercy from my judge.
16 If I summoned him, and he answered me, I still can't believe he would listen to my plea.
17 He could break me with a storm; he could multiply my wounds for no reason,
18 to the point where I couldn't even breathe -with such bitterness he could fill me!
19 If it's a matter of force, look how mighty he is; if justice, who can summon him to court?
20 Even if I'm right, my own mouth will condemn me; if I'm innocent, it would pronounce me guilty.
21 "I am innocent. Don't I know myself? But I've had enough of this life of mine!
22 So I say it's all the same -he destroys innocent and wicked alike.
23 When disaster brings sudden death, he laughs at the plight of the innocent.
24 The earth has been given to the power of the wicked; he covers the faces of its judges -if it isn't he, then who is it?
25 My days pass on more swiftly than a runner; they flee without seeing anything good.

Job 9:15-25 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.

Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.