Job 9:20 “Even if I were righteous, my mouth would condemn me; if I were blamele…”

Job 9:20

Even if I were righteous, my mouth would condemn me; if I were blameless, it would declare me guilty.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.

World English Bible

Though I am righteous, my own mouth will condemn me. Though I am blameless, it will prove me perverse.

American Standard Version

Though I be righteous, mine own mouth shall condemn me: Though I be perfect, it shall prove me perverse.

Geneva Bible 1599

If I woulde iustifie my selfe, mine owne mouth shall condemne mee: if I would be perfite, he shall iudge me wicked.

Darby Translation

If I justified myself, mine own mouth would condemn me; were I perfect, he would prove me perverse.

Young's Literal Translation

If I be righteous, Mine mouth doth declare me wicked, Perfect I am! — it declareth me perverse.

Bible in Basic English

Though I was in the right, he would say that I was in the wrong; I have done no evil; but he says that I am a sinner.

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Cross references

“justify”

Job 9:2 Job 4:17 Psalm 130:3 Psalm 143:2 Luke 10:29 Luke 16:15

Job 9:2 · BSB

“Yes, I know that it is so, but how can a mortal be righteous before God?

Job 4:17 · BSB

‘Can a mortal be more righteous than God, or a man more pure than his Maker?

Psalm 130:3 · BSB

If You, O LORD, kept track of iniquities, then who, O Lord, could stand?

Psalm 143:2 · BSB

Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous before You.

Luke 10:29 · BSB

But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Luke 16:15 · BSB

So He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is prized among men is detestable before God.

“mine”

Job 34:35 Job 35:16 Proverbs 10:19 Isaiah 6:5 James 3:2 Job 15:5

Job 34:35 · BSB

‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’

Job 35:16 · BSB

So Job opens his mouth in vain and multiplies words without knowledge.”

Proverbs 10:19 · BSB

When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.

Isaiah 6:5 · BSB

Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.”

James 3:2 · BSB

We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.

Job 15:5 · BSB

For your iniquity instructs your mouth, and you choose the language of the crafty.

“I am perfect”

Philippians 3:12–15 Job 1:1

Philippians 3:12–15 · BSB

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Job 1:1 · BSB

There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. And this man was blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil.

“it shall”

Job 33:8–13 Proverbs 17:20 1 Timothy 6:5

Job 33:8–13 · BSB

Surely you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard these very words:

Proverbs 17:20 · BSB

The one with a perverse heart finds no good, and he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.

1 Timothy 6:5 · BSB

and constant friction between men of depraved mind who are devoid of the truth. These men regard godliness as a means of gain.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

19If it is a matter of strength, He is indeed mighty! If it is a matter of justice, who can summon Him ?

21Though I am blameless, I have no concern for myself; I despise my own life.

Read Job 9