Job 9:28-35

28 Zo schroom ik voor al mijn smarten; ik weet, dat Gij mij niet onschuldig zult houden.
29 Ik zal toch goddeloos zijn; waarom dan zal ik ijdellijk arbeiden?
30 Indien ik mij wasse met sneeuwwater, en mijn handen zuivere met zeep;
31 Dan zult Gij mij in de gracht induiken, en mijn klederen zullen van mij gruwen.
32 Want Hij is niet een man, als ik, dien ik antwoorden zou, zo wij te zamen in het gericht kwamen.
33 Er is geen scheidsman tussen ons, die zijn hand op ons beiden leggen mocht.
34 Dat Hij van op mij Zijn roede wegdoe, en dat Zijn verschrikking mij niet verbaasd make;
35 Zo zal ik spreken, en Hem niet vrezen; want zodanig ben ik niet bij mij.

Job 9:28-35 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 Dutch Staten Vertaling translation is in the public domain.