Job 9:20-30

20 Si yo me justificare, me condenará mi boca; Si me dijere perfecto, esto me hará inicuo.
21 Bien que yo fuese íntegro, no conozco mi alma: Reprocharé mi vida.
22 Una cosa resta que yo diga: Al perfecto y al impío él los consume.
23 Si azote mata de presto, Ríese de la prueba de los inocentes.
24 La tierra es entregada en manos de los impíos, Y él cubre el rostro de sus jueces. Si no es él, ¿quién es? ¿dónde está?
25 Mis días han sido más ligeros que un correo; Huyeron, y no vieron el bien.
26 Pasaron cual navíos veloces: Como el águila que se arroja á la comida.
27 Si digo: Olvidaré mi queja, Dejaré mi aburrimiento, y esforzaréme:
28 Contúrbanme todos mis trabajos; Sé que no me darás por libre.
29 Yo soy impío, ¿Para qué trabajaré en vano?
30 Aunque me lave con aguas de nieve, Y limpie mis manos con la misma limpieza,

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.

The Reina-Valera Antigua (1602) is in the public domain.