Matthew Poole and continuators on Job 35:3

3. For thou saidst , what advantage will it be unto thee ? and and what profit shall I have if I be cleansed from my sin ?

This Verse contains the proof of the foregoing charges: Iob had oft affirmed, that he was and still continued to be righteous, though he had no present benefit by it, but much bitterness with it: and God was not kind to Iob notwithstanding all his former and present Piety, but dealt with him as if he had been a most wicked Man: which was in effect to sa[illegible: 1+ letters] that he was more righteous▪ than God.

To wit, his righteousness last mentioned.

i. e. Unto me, such changes of Persons being very frequent in the Hebrew Language.

Or, by the exp[illegible: 1+ letters]ation of my sin: for the same Hebrew word signifies both to s[illegible: 1+ letters]t and to purge out or ex[illegible: 1+ letters]iate sin. Or, by it (to wit, by my righteousness) more than by my si[illegible: 1+ letters]. So the sence is, I have no more present benefit by all my care to please and serve God than wicked men have by their sins against him. God regards my cries no more than theirs, and shews no more kindness or pity to me, than he doth to the most pro[illegible: 1+ letters]ligate wretches. But still remember Iob speaks not here of the future life, wherein he knew he should have much advantage, as he professed before, but onely of this present state.

Marginal references: Ch 34. 9.; [illegible: 1 span].