Giobbe 9:28-35

28 Io sono spaventato di tutti i miei tormenti, Io so che tu non mi reputerai innocente.

29 Io sarò reo; Perchè adunque mi affaticherei in vano?

30 Quando io mi fossi lavato con acque di neve, E nettatomi le mani col sapone;

31 Allora pure tu mi tufferesti in una fossa, E i miei vestimenti mi avrebbero in abbominio.

32 Perciocchè egli non è un uomo, come son io, perchè io gli risponda, E perchè noi veniamo insieme a giudicio.

33 Ei non v’è niuno che possa dar sentenza fra noi, Che possa metter la mano sopra amendue noi.

34 Ma rimuova egli pur la sua verga d’addosso a me, E non mi conturbi il suo spavento.

35 Allora io parlerò, e non avrò paura di lui; Perciocchè in questo stato io non sono in me stesso.

Giobbe 9:28-35 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.