Job 9:20-30

20 si iustificare me voluero os meum condemnabit me si innocentem ostendere pravum me conprobabit
21 etiam si simplex fuero hoc ipsum ignorabit anima mea et taedebit me vitae meae
22 unum est quod locutus sum et innocentem et impium ipse consumit
23 si flagellat occidat semel et non de poenis innocentum rideat
24 terra data est in manu impii vultum iudicum eius operit quod si non ille est quis ergo est
25 dies mei velociores fuerunt cursore fugerunt et non viderunt bonum
26 pertransierunt quasi naves poma portantes sicut aquila volans ad escam
27 cum dixero nequaquam ita loquar commuto faciem meam et dolore torqueor
28 verebar omnia opera mea sciens quod non parceres delinquenti
29 si autem et sic impius sum quare frustra laboravi
30 si lotus fuero quasi aquis nivis et fulserint velut mundissimae manus meae

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 Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.