Job 9:22-32

22 Tout se vaut! C'est pourquoi j'ai dit: Il détruit l'innocent comme l'impie.

23 Quand un fléau soudain répand la mort, il se rit des épreuves des innocents.

24 La terre est livrée aux mains des méchants; il couvre les yeux de ceux qui la jugent. Si ce n'est lui, qui est-ce donc

25 Mes jours ont été plus légers qu'un courrier; ils se sont enfuis, sans voir le bonheur;

26 Ils ont glissé comme des barques de roseaux, comme l'aigle qui fond sur sa proie.

27 Si je dis: Je veux oublier ma plainte, quitter mon air triste, et reprendre ma sérénité,

28 Je suis effrayé de toutes mes douleurs: je sais que tu ne me jugeras pas innocent.

29 Moi, je suis condamné, pourquoi me fatiguer en vain?

30 Quand je me laverais dans la neige, quand je purifierais mes mains dans la potasse,

31 Tu me plongerais dans le fossé, et mes vêtements m'auraient en horreur.

32 Car il n'est pas un homme comme moi pour que je lui réponde, pour que nous allions ensemble en justice.

Job 9:22-32 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.