19 Who is he that will plead with me? for now, if I hold my tongue, I shall give up the ghost.
19 Can anyone bring charges against me? If so, I will be silent and die.
19 Who is there who will contend with me? For then I would be silent and die.
19 Can anyone prove charges against me? I've said my piece. I rest my case. Why Does God Stay Hidden and Silent?
19 Who is he who will contend with me? If now I hold my tongue, I perish.
19 Who can argue with me over this? And if you prove me wrong, I will remain silent and die.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 13:19
Commentary on Job 13:13-22
(Read Job 13:13-22)
Job resolved to cleave to the testimony his own conscience gave of his uprightness. He depended upon God for justification and salvation, the two great things we hope for through Christ. Temporal salvation he little expected, but of his eternal salvation he was very confident; that God would not only be his Saviour to make him happy, but his salvation, in the sight and enjoyment of whom he should be happy. He knew himself not to be a hypocrite, and concluded that he should not be rejected. We should be well pleased with God as a Friend, even when he seems against us as an enemy. We must believe that all shall work for good to us, even when all seems to make against us. We must cleave to God, yea, though we cannot for the present find comfort in him. In a dying hour, we must derive from him living comforts; and this is to trust in him, though he slay us.