Job 13
1 “Indeed, my eyes have seen all this; my ears have heard and understood.
Behold my eye hath seen all these things, and my ear hath heard them, and I have understood them all.
2 What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.
According to your knowledge I also know: neither am I inferior to you.
3 Yet I desire to speak to the Almighty and argue my case before God.
But yet I will speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.
4 You, however, smear with lies; you are all worthless physicians.
Having first shewn that you are forgers of lies, and maintainers of perverse opinions.
5 If only you would remain silent; for that would be your wisdom!
And I wish you would hold your peace, that you might be thought to be wise men.
6 Hear now my argument, and listen to the plea of my lips.
Hear ye therefore my reproof, and attend to the judgment of my lips.
7 Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf or speak deceitfully for Him?
Hath God any need of your lie, that you should speak deceitfully for him?
8 Would you show Him partiality or argue in His defense?
Do you accept his person, and do you endeavour to judge for God?
9 Would it be well when He examined you? Could you deceive Him like a man?
Or shall it please him, from whom nothing can be concealed? or shall he be deceived as a man, with your deceitful dealings?
10 Surely He would rebuke you if you secretly showed partiality.
He shall reprove you, because in secret you accept his person.
11 Would His majesty not terrify you? Would the dread of Him not fall upon you?
As soon as he shall move himself, he shall trouble you: and his dread shall fall upon you.
12 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.
Your remembrance shall be compared to ashes, and your necks shall be brought to clay.
13 Be silent, and I will speak. Then let come to me what may.
Hold your peace a little while, that I may speak whatsoever my mind shall suggest to me.
14 Why do I put myself at risk and take my life in my own hands?
Why do I tear my flesh with my teeth, and carry my soul in my hands?
15 Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. I will still defend my ways to His face.
Although he should bill me, I will trust in him: but yet I will reprove my ways in his sight.
16 Moreover, this will be my salvation, for no godless man can appear before Him.
And he shall be my saviour: for no hypocrite shall come before his presence.
17 Listen carefully to my words; let my declaration ring in your ears.
Hear ye my speech, and receive with Sour ears hidden truths.
18 Behold, now that I have prepared my case, I know that I will be vindicated.
If I shall be judged, I know that I shall be found just.
19 Can anyone indict me? If so, I will be silent and die.
Who is he that will plead against me? let him come: why am I consumed holding my peace?
20 Only grant these two things to me, so that I need not hide from You:
Two things only do not to me, and then from thy face I shall not be hid:
21 Withdraw Your hand from me, and do not let Your terror frighten me.
Withdraw thy hand far from me, and let not thy dread terrify me.
22 Then call me, and I will answer, or let me speak, and You can reply.
Call me, and I will answer thee: or else I will speak, and do thou answer me.
23 How many are my iniquities and sins? Reveal to me my transgression and sin.
How many are my iniquities and sins? make me know my crimes and offences.
24 Why do You hide Your face and consider me as Your enemy?
Why hidest thou thy face, and thinkest me thy enemy?
25 Would You frighten a windblown leaf? Would You chase after dry chaff?
Against a leaf, that is carried away with the wind, thou shewest thy power, and thou pursuest a dry straw.
26 For You record bitter accusations against me and bequeath to me the iniquities of my youth.
For thou writest bitter things against me, and wilt consume me for the sins of my youth.
27 You put my feet in the stocks and stand watch over all my paths; You set a limit for the soles of my feet.
Thou hast put my feet in the stocks, and hast observed all my paths, and hast considered the steps of my feet:
28 So man wastes away like something rotten, like a moth-eaten garment.
Who am to be consumed as rottenness, and as a garment that is moth-eaten.
