Job 9:21-31

21 If I am a man of integrity, I have no way of knowing it. I hate my life!
22 It is all the same. That is why I say, 'He destroys [both] the man of integrity and the wicked.'
23 When a sudden disaster brings death, he makes fun of the despair of innocent people.
24 The earth is handed over to the wicked. He covers the faces of its judges. If he isn't the one [doing this], who is?
25 "My days go by more quickly than a runner. They sprint away. They don't see anything good.
26 They pass by quickly like boats made from reeds, like an eagle swooping down on its prey.
27 [Even] if I say, 'I will forget my complaining; I will change my expression and smile,'
28 I [still] dread everything I must suffer. I know that you won't declare me innocent.
29 I've already been found guilty. Why should I work so hard for nothing?
30 If I wash myself with lye soap and cleanse my hands with bleach,
31 then you would plunge me into a muddy pit, and my own clothes would find me disgusting.

Job 9:21-31 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.

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