KJV 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.
VERSE STUDY • KJV
Job 9:20
If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: [if I say], I [am] perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.
Read it in 5 translations
BSB Berean Standard Bible
Even if I were righteous, my mouth would condemn me; if I were blameless, it would declare me guilty.
WEB World English Bible
Though I am righteous, my own mouth shall condemn me. Though I am blameless, it shall prove me perverse.
ASV American Standard Version
Though I be righteous, mine own mouth shall condemn me: Though I be perfect, it shall prove me perverse.
YLT Young’s Literal Translation
If I be righteous, Mine mouth doth declare me wicked, Perfect I am!—it declareth me perverse.
Surrounding context — Job 9
17 For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.
18 He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness.
19 If [I speak] of strength, lo, [he is] strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time [to plead]?
20 If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: [if I say], I [am] perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.
21 [Though] I [were] perfect, [yet] would I not know my soul: I would despise my life.
22 This [is] one [thing], therefore I said [it], He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.
23 If the scourge slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent.
Topics connected to this verse
Original-language word links
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Cross-references
Job 9:2I know [it is] so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?Job 4:17Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?Job 34:35Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words [were] without wisdom.Psalm 143:2And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.Psalm 130:3If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?Job 32:1-2So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he [was] righteous in his own eyes.Job 15:5-6For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou choosest the tongue of the crafty.Philippians 3:12-15Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.Job 35:16Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without knowledge.Job 33:8-13Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of [thy] words, [saying],Luke 10:29But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?Isaiah 6:5Then said I, Woe [is] me! for I am undone; because I [am] a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.Proverbs 17:20He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.Job 1:1There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name [was] Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.Luke 16:15And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.Proverbs 10:19In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips [is] wise.Matthew 12:36-37But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.1 Timothy 6:5Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
CLASSIC COMMENTARY & PREACHING
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HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION
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