Job 9:20-30

20 Even if I were right, my own mouth would say I was wrong; if I were innocent, my mouth would say I was guilty.
21 "I am innocent, but I don't care about myself. I hate my own life.
22 It is all the same. That is why I say, 'God destroys both the innocent and the guilty.'
23 If the whip brings sudden death, God will laugh at the suffering of the innocent.
24 When the land falls into the hands of evil people, he covers the judges' faces so they can't see it. If it is not God who does this, then who is it?
25 "My days go by faster than a runner; they fly away without my seeing any joy.
26 They glide past like paper boats. They attack like eagles swooping down to feed.
27 Even though I say, 'I will forget my complaint; I will change the look on my face and smile,'
28 I still dread all my suffering. I know you will hold me guilty.
29 I have already been found guilty, so why should I struggle for no reason?
30 I might wash myself with soap and scrub my hands with strong soap,

Job 9:20-30 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.

Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.