Job 13
1 Truly, my eye has seen all this, word of it has come to my ear, and I have knowledge of it.
Loe, mine eye hath seene all this: mine eare hath heard, and vnderstande it.
2 The same things are in my mind as in yours; I am equal to you.
I knowe also as much as you knowe: I am not inferiour vnto you.
3 But I would have talk with the Ruler of all, and my desire is to have an argument with God.
But I will speake to the Almightie, and I desire to dispute with God.
4 But you put a false face on things; all your attempts to put things right are of no value.
For in deede ye forge lyes, and all you are physitions of no value.
5 If only you would keep quiet, it would be a sign of wisdom!
Oh, that you woulde holde your tongue, that it might be imputed to you for wisedome!
6 Give ear to the argument of my mouth, and take note of the words of my lips.
Nowe heare my disputation, and giue eare to the arguments of my lips.
7 Will you say in God's name what is not right, and put false words into his mouth?
Will ye speake wickedly for Gods defence, and talke deceitfully for his cause?
8 Will you have respect for God's person in this cause, and put yourselves forward as his supporters?
Will ye accept his person? or will ye contende for God?
9 Will it be good for you to be searched out by him, or have you the thought that he may be guided into error like a man?
Is it well that he shoulde seeke of you? will you make a lye for him, as one lyeth for a man?
10 He will certainly put you right, if you have respect for persons in secret.
He will surely reprooue you, if ye doe secretly accept any person.
11 Will not his glory put you in fear, so that your hearts will be overcome before him?
Shall not his excellencie make you afraid? and his feare fall vpon you?
12 Your wise sayings are only dust, and your strong places are only earth.
Your memories may be compared vnto ashes, and your bodyes to bodyes of clay.
13 Keep quiet, and let me say what is in my mind, whatever may come to me.
Holde your tongues in my presence, that I may speake, and let come vpon what will.
14 I will take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand.
Wherefore doe I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my soule in mine hande?
15 Truly, he will put an end to me; I have no hope; but I will not give way in argument before him;
Loe, though he slay me, yet will I trust in him, and I will reprooue my wayes in his sight.
16 And that will be my salvation, for an evil-doer would not come before him,
He shalbe my saluation also: for the hypocrite shall not come before him.
17 Give ear with care to my words, and keep what I say in your minds.
Heare diligently my wordes, and marke my talke.
18 See now, I have put my cause in order, and I am certain that I will be seen to be right.
Beholde nowe: if I prepare me to iudgement, I knowe that I shalbe iustified.
19 Is any one able to take up the argument against me? If so, I would keep quiet and give up my breath.
Who is he, that will pleade with me? for if I nowe holde my tongue, I dye.
20 Only two things do not do to me, then I will come before your face:
But doe not these two things vnto me: then will I not hide my selfe from thee.
21 Take your hand far away from me; and let me not be overcome by fear of you.
Withdrawe thine hande from me, and let not thy feare make me afraide.
22 Then at the sound of your voice I will give answer; or let me put forward my cause for you to give me an answer.
Then call thou, and I will answere: or let me speake, and answere thou me.
23 What is the number of my evil-doings and my sins? give me knowledge of them.
Howe many are mine iniquities and sinnes? shewe me my rebellion, and my sinne.
24 Why is your face veiled from me, as if I was numbered among your haters?
Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and takest me for thine enemie?
25 Will you be hard on a leaf in flight before the wind? will you make a dry stem go more quickly on its way?
Wilt thou breake a leafe driuen to and from? and wilt thou pursue the drie stubble?
26 For you put bitter things on record against me, and send punishment on me for the sins of my early years;
For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possesse the iniquities of my youth.
27 And you put chains on my feet, watching all my ways, and making a limit for my steps;
Thou puttest my feete also in the stocks, and lookest narrowly vnto all my pathes, and makest the print thereof in ye heeles of my feet.
28 Though a man comes to nothing like a bit of dead wood, or like a robe which has become food for the worm.
Such one consumeth like a rotten thing, and as a garment that is motheaten.
