Job 9:13-23

13 Dios no tornará atrás su ira, y debajo de él se encorvan los que ayudan a la soberbia

14 ¿Cuánto menos le responderé yo, y eligiré mis palabras con él

15 Que aunque yo sea justo, no responderé; antes habré de rogar a mi juez

16 Que si yo le invocare, y él me respondiera, aún no creeré que haya escuchado mi voz

17 Porque me ha quebrado con tempestad, y ha aumentado mis heridas sin causa

18 Que aún no me ha concedido que tome mi aliento; mas me ha llenado de amarguras

19 Si habláramos de su potencia, fuerte por cierto es; si de su juicio, ¿quién me emplazará

20 Si yo me justificare, me condenará mi boca; si me predicare perfecto, él me hará inicuo

21 Si yo me predicare imperfecto, no conozco mi alma; condenaré mi vida

22 Una cosa resta es a saber que yo diga: Al perfecto y al impío él los consume

23 Si es azote, mate de repente, y no se ría de la prueba de los inocentes

Job 9:13-23 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.