Job 9:35
Then I would speak without fear of Him. But as it is, I am on my own.
BSB
ASV
Then would I speak, and not fear him; For I am not so in myself.
KJV
Then would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me.
Then would I speak, and not fear Him. For the holy man, because he beholds the Redeemer of the world coming in meekness, does not assume fear towards a Master, but affection towards a Father. And he looks down on fear, in that through the grace of adoption he rises up to love. Hence John says; There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear. Hence Zachariah says, That we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve Him without fear.
Then would I speak, and not fear him - I should then be able to maintain my cause on equal terms, and with equal advantages. But it is not so with me - Margin, I am not so with myself. Noyes, “I am not so at heart.” Good, “but not thus could I in my present state.” Literally, “for not thus I with myself.” The Syriac renders it, “for neither am I his adversary.” Very various interpretations have been given of this phrase.
Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread: the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.
