Job 13
1 Behold, mine eye has seen these things, and mine ear has heard [them].
Behold my eye hath seen all these things, and my ear hath heard them, and I have understood them all.
2 And I know all that you too know; and I have not less understanding than you.
According to your knowledge I also know: neither am I inferior to you.
3 Nevertheless I will speak to the Lord, and I will reason before him, if he will.
But yet I will speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.
4 But you are all bad physicians, and healers of diseases.
Having first shewn that you are forgers of lies, and maintainers of perverse opinions.
5 But would that you were silent, and it would be wisdom to you in the end.
And I wish you would hold your peace, that you might be thought to be wise men.
6 But hear you the reasoning of my mouth, and attend to the judgement of my lips.
Hear ye therefore my reproof, and attend to the judgment of my lips.
7 Do you not speak before the Lord, and utter deceit before him?
Hath God any need of your lie, that you should speak deceitfully for him?
8 Or will you draw back? nay do, you yourselves be judges.
Do you accept his person, and do you endeavour to judge for God?
9 For [it were] well if he would thoroughly search you: for though doing all things [in your power] you should attach yourselves to him,
Or shall it please him, from whom nothing can be concealed? or shall he be deceived as a man, with your deceitful dealings?
10 he will not reprove you at all the less: but if moreover you should secretly respect persons,
He shall reprove you, because in secret you accept his person.
11 shall not his whirlpool sweep you round, and terror from him fall upon you?
As soon as he shall move himself, he shall trouble you: and his dread shall fall upon you.
12 And your glorying shall prove in the end to you like ashes, and your body [like a body] of clay.
Your remembrance shall be compared to ashes, and your necks shall be brought to clay.
13 Be silent, that I may speak, and cease from [mine] anger,
Hold your peace a little while, that I may speak whatsoever my mind shall suggest to me.
14 while I may take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand.
Why do I tear my flesh with my teeth, and carry my soul in my hands?
15 Though the Mighty One should lay hand upon me, forasmuch as he has begun, verily I will speak, and plead before him.
Although he should bill me, I will trust in him: but yet I will reprove my ways in his sight.
16 And this shall turn to me for salvation; for fraud shall have no entrance before him.
And he shall be my saviour: for no hypocrite shall come before his presence.
17 Hear, hear you my words, for I will declare in your hearing.
Hear ye my speech, and receive with Sour ears hidden truths.
18 Behold, I am near my judgement: I know that I shall appear evidently just.
If I shall be judged, I know that I shall be found just.
19 For who is he that shall plead with me, that I should now be silent, and expire?
Who is he that will plead against me? let him come: why am I consumed holding my peace?
20 But grant me two things: then I will not hide myself from your face.
Two things only do not to me, and then from thy face I shall not be hid:
21 Withhold [your] hand from me: and let not your fear terrify me.
Withdraw thy hand far from me, and let not thy dread terrify me.
22 Then shall you call, and I will listen to you: or you shall speak, and I will give you an answer.
Call me, and I will answer thee: or else I will speak, and do thou answer me.
23 How many are my sins and my transgressions? teach me what they are.
How many are my iniquities and sins? make me know my crimes and offences.
24 Therefore hide you yourself from me, and deem me your enemy?
Why hidest thou thy face, and thinkest me thy enemy?
25 Will you be startled [at me], as [at] a leaf shaken by the wind? or will you set yourself against me as against grass borne upon the breeze?
Against a leaf, that is carried away with the wind, thou shewest thy power, and thou pursuest a dry straw.
26 for you have written evil things against me, and you have compassed me with the sins of my youth.
For thou writest bitter things against me, and wilt consume me for the sins of my youth.
27 And you have placed my foot in the stocks; and you have watched all my works, and have penetrated my heels.
Thou hast put my feet in the stocks, and hast observed all my paths, and hast considered the steps of my feet:
28 [I am as] that which waxes old like a bottle, or like a moth-eaten garment.
Who am to be consumed as rottenness, and as a garment that is moth-eaten.
