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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Job 9:29 Since I am already found guilty, why should I labor in vain?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/9-29.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/18_Job_09_29.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 9:29 - Job: How Can I Argue with God?" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Since I am already found guilty, why should I labor in vain?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/job/9-29.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/job/9-29.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/job/">Job</a> > <a href="/job/9.htm">Chapter 9</a> > Verse 29</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad9.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/job/9-28.htm" title="Job 9:28">◄</a> Job 9:29 <a href="/job/9-30.htm" title="Job 9:30">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/job/9.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/job/9.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Since I am already found guilty, why should I struggle in vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/9.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Whatever happens, I will be found guilty. So what’s the use of trying?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />I shall be condemned; why then do I labor in vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Since I am already found guilty, why should I labor in vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br /><i>If</i> I be wicked, why then labour I in vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br /><i>If</i> I am condemned, Why then do I labor in vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“I am guilty, Why then should I struggle in vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220I am accounted wicked, Why then should I toil in vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“I am accounted wicked, Why then should I toil in vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />I am accounted wicked; Why then should I toil in vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“I am accounted wicked <i>and</i> held guilty; Why then should I labor in vain [to appear innocent]?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Since I will be found guilty, why should I struggle in vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Since I will be found guilty, why should I labor in vain? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />I shall be condemned; Why then do I labor in vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />So what's the use of trying to prove my innocence? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />I shall be condemned; why then do I labour in vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I've already been found guilty. Why should I work so hard for nothing?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Since I am held guilty, why should I bother? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />I will be condemned, so why should I wear myself out with this futility?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Since I am already found guilty, why should I labor in vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />If I am guilty, why then weary myself in vain? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />I shall be condemned. Why then do I labor in vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />If I am wicked, why then do I labor in vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />I will be condemned. Why then do I labor in vain? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />I become wicked; why [is] this? I labor [in] vain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> I -- I am become wicked; why is this? In vain I labour.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Shall I do evil, wherefore this shall I labor in vain?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But if so also I am wicked, why have I laboured in vain? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Yet, if I am also just as impious, why have I labored in vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />It is I who will be accounted guilty; why then should I strive in vain? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />I shall be condemned; why then do I labor in vain?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Behold, if I am declared guilty, why then dost thou consume me in vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Behold, if I will be condemned, why do you destroy me as if it were nothing?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />I shall be condemned; Why then do I labour in vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But since I am ungodly, why have I not died?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/9-29.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XAwuD5NuZq0?start=1456" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/job/9.htm">Job: How Can I Argue with God?</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">28</span>I would still dread all my sufferings; I know that You will not acquit me. <span class="reftext">29</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/595.htm" title="595: ’ā·nō·ḵî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Sometimes; a primitive pro. I.">Since I am</a> <a href="/hebrew/7561.htm" title="7561: ’er·šā‘ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To be wicked, act wickedly. A primitive root; to be wrong; by implication, to disturb, violate.">already found guilty,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: lām·māh- (Prep-l:: Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">why</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: zeh (Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3021.htm" title="3021: ’î·ḡā‘ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To toil, grow or be weary. A primitive root; properly, to gasp; hence, to be exhausted, to tire, to toil.">should I labor</a> <a href="/hebrew/1892.htm" title="1892: he·ḇel (N-ms) -- Or Habel; from habal; emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb.">in vain?</a> </span><span class="reftext">30</span>If I should wash myself with snow and cleanse my hands with lye,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-19.htm">Romans 3:19-20</a></span><br />Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. / Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/143-2.htm">Psalm 143:2</a></span><br />Do not bring Your servant into judgment, for no one alive is righteous before You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/2-16.htm">Galatians 2:16</a></span><br />know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-20.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:20</a></span><br />Surely there is no righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/64-6.htm">Isaiah 64:6</a></span><br />Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-18.htm">Romans 7:18-19</a></span><br />I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. / For I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I keep on doing the evil I do not want to do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-23.htm">Romans 3:23</a></span><br />for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/1-8.htm">1 John 1:8-10</a></span><br />If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. / If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. / If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-3.htm">Romans 8:3</a></span><br />For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-6.htm">Isaiah 53:6</a></span><br />We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/5-12.htm">Romans 5:12</a></span><br />Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-10.htm">Galatians 3:10-11</a></span><br />All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” / Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-10.htm">James 2:10</a></span><br />Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/4-15.htm">Romans 4:15</a></span><br />because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/130-3.htm">Psalm 130:3</a></span><br />If You, O LORD, kept track of iniquities, then who, O Lord, could stand?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">If I be wicked, why then labor I in vain?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/9-22.htm">Job 9:22</a></b></br> This <i>is</i> one <i>thing</i>, therefore I said <i>it</i>, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/10-7.htm">Job 10:7,14-17</a></b></br> Thou knowest that I am not wicked; and <i>there is</i> none that can deliver out of thine hand… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/21-16.htm">Job 21:16,17,27</a></b></br> Lo, their good <i>is</i> not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/nehemiah/13-13.htm">Accounted</a> <a href="/esther/7-7.htm">Already</a> <a href="/job/8-6.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-3.htm">Condemned</a> <a href="/job/8-8.htm">Found</a> <a href="/job/9-20.htm">Guilty</a> <a href="/job/7-1.htm">Labor</a> <a href="/job/9-28.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/judges/12-2.htm">Struggle</a> <a href="/joshua/7-3.htm">Toil</a> <a href="/job/7-3.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/job/3-9.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/job/9-24.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/11-2.htm">Accounted</a> <a href="/job/38-21.htm">Already</a> <a href="/job/10-2.htm">Clear</a> <a href="/job/10-7.htm">Condemned</a> <a href="/job/12-12.htm">Found</a> <a href="/job/10-7.htm">Guilty</a> <a href="/job/10-3.htm">Labor</a> <a href="/job/10-6.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/job/14-14.htm">Struggle</a> <a href="/job/20-18.htm">Toil</a> <a href="/job/10-15.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/job/11-11.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/job/10-3.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Job 9</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/9-1.htm">Job acknowledges God's justice</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/9-22.htm">Man's innocence is not to be condemned by afflictions</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/9.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/job/9.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Since I am already found guilty</b><br>Job expresses a deep sense of resignation and despair, feeling condemned despite his innocence. This reflects the broader theme of the book of Job, where Job struggles with the concept of divine justice. In the ancient Near Eastern context, suffering was often seen as a direct result of personal sin, yet Job's situation challenges this belief. This phrase can be connected to <a href="/romans/3-23.htm">Romans 3:23</a>, which states that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, highlighting the universal nature of guilt and the need for divine grace.<p><b>why should I labor in vain?</b><br>Job questions the purpose of striving for righteousness when he perceives that his efforts do not change his standing before God. This reflects the futility he feels in trying to justify himself through works. <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:2</a> echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the vanity of human endeavors without divine purpose. This phrase also foreshadows the New Testament teaching in <a href="/ephesians/2-8.htm">Ephesians 2:8-9</a>, where salvation is described as a gift of grace, not a result of works, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment of righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>A man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, experiencing intense suffering and questioning the justice of his plight.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The sovereign Creator who allows Job's testing. Job's discourse in this chapter is directed towards understanding God's justice and his own suffering.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/job's_friends.htm">Job's Friends</a></b><br>Although not directly mentioned in this verse, they are significant in the context of Job's discourse. They argue that Job's suffering must be due to his sin, which Job disputes.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_heavenly_court.htm">The Heavenly Court</a></b><br>The setting of the initial chapters of Job, where God permits Satan to test Job's righteousness.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/suffering_and_justice.htm">Suffering and Justice</a></b><br>The broader theme of the Book of Job, exploring the relationship between human suffering and divine justice.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_human_limitations.htm">Understanding Human Limitations</a></b><br>Job's statement reflects the human struggle to comprehend divine justice. We must acknowledge our limited understanding and trust in God's greater plan.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_suffering.htm">The Reality of Suffering</a></b><br>Suffering is a part of the human experience, and it does not always correlate with personal sin. We should be cautious in judging others' suffering.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_amidst_trials.htm">Faith Amidst Trials</a></b><br>Even when feeling unjustly treated, like Job, we are called to maintain our faith and integrity, trusting in God's ultimate justice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_self-justification.htm">The Futility of Self-Justification</a></b><br>Job's realization that he is "already found guilty" highlights the futility of self-justification. Our righteousness comes from God, not our own efforts.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/perseverance_in_faith.htm">Perseverance in Faith</a></b><br>Despite feeling that his efforts are in vain, Job continues to seek understanding and dialogue with God, exemplifying perseverance in faith.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 9</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_'baptized_into_his_death'.htm">What does 'If the Lord wills' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_'all_is_vanity'_contradict_purpose.htm">In Ecclesiastes 12:8, does the statement 'all is vanity' contradict the idea of purpose found elsewhere in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_ecclesiastes_10_10_stress_effort_over_faith.htm">Does the advice to sharpen the axe in Ecclesiastes 10:10 imply a reliance on human effort over divine intervention, creating tension with texts that stress faith and dependence on God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_'vain_deceit'_in_col._2_8.htm">What does 'Heartily as Unto the Lord' mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 29.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">If I be wicked</span>; rather, <span class="accented">I am</span> <span class="accented">wicked</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> I am accounted so - I am already condemned. The extreme afflictions raider which I suffer indicate that God has passed sentence upon me, and awarded me my punishment. <span class="cmt_word">Why then labour I in vain?</span> <span class="accented">i.e.</span> Why argue? Why seek to justify myself, since no result is likely to follow? Nothing that I can say will alter God's foregone conclusion. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/9-29.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Since I am</span><br /><span class="heb">אָנֹכִ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·nō·ḵî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_595.htm">Strong's 595: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><br /><span class="word">already found guilty,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶרְשָׁ֑ע</span> <span class="translit">(’er·šā‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7561.htm">Strong's 7561: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be, wrong, to disturb, violate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">why</span><br /><span class="heb">לָמָּה־</span> <span class="translit">(lām·māh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">should I labor</span><br /><span class="heb">אִיגָֽע׃</span> <span class="translit">(’î·ḡā‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3021.htm">Strong's 3021: </a> </span><span class="str2">To gasp, to be exhausted, to tire, to toil</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in vain?</span><br /><span class="heb">הֶ֣בֶל</span> <span class="translit">(he·ḇel)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1892.htm">Strong's 1892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Emptiness, vanity, transitory, unsatisfactory</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/9-29.htm">Job 9:29 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/9-29.htm">Job 9:29 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/9-29.htm">Job 9:29 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/9-29.htm">Job 9:29 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/9-29.htm">Job 9:29 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/9-29.htm">Job 9:29 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/9-29.htm">Job 9:29 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/9-29.htm">Job 9:29 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/9-29.htm">Job 9:29 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/9-29.htm">Job 9:29 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/9-29.htm">OT Poetry: Job 9:29 I shall be condemned (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/9-28.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 9:28"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 9:28" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/9-30.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 9:30"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 9:30" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>