20 If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.
20 Even if I were innocent, my mouth would condemn me; if I were blameless, it would pronounce me guilty.
20 Though I am in the right, my own mouth would condemn me; though I am blameless, he would prove me perverse.
20 Even though innocent, anything I say incriminates me; blameless as I am, my defense just makes me sound worse. If God's Not Responsible, Who Is?
20 Though I were righteous, my own mouth would condemn me; Though I were blameless, it would prove me perverse.
20 Though I am innocent, my own mouth would pronounce me guilty. Though I am blameless, it would prove me wicked.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 9:20
Commentary on Job 9:14-21
(Read Job 9:14-21)
Job is still righteous in his own eyes, 1, and this answer, though it sets forth the power and majesty of God, implies that the question between the afflicted and the Lord of providence, is a question of might, and not of right; and we begin to discover the evil fruits of pride and of a self-righteous spirit. Job begins to manifest a disposition to condemn God, that he may justify himself, for which he is afterwards reproved. Still Job knew so much of himself, that he durst not stand a trial. If we say, We have no sin, we not only deceive ourselves, but we affront God; for we sin in saying so, and give the lie to the Scripture. But Job reflected on God's goodness and justice in saying his affliction was without cause.