Job 13
1 Behold, my eye has seen all these things, and my ear has heard, and I have understood each one.
“Indeed, my eyes have seen all this; my ears have heard and understood.
2 In conformity with your knowledge, I also know. I am not inferior to you.
What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.
3 Yet I speak this way to the Almighty, and I desire to argue with God,
Yet I desire to speak to the Almighty and argue my case before God.
4 having first shown that you fabricate lies and cultivate perverse teachings.
You, however, smear with lies; you are all worthless physicians.
5 And I wish that you would remain silent, so that you would be counted among the wise.
If only you would remain silent; for that would be your wisdom!
6 Therefore, listen to my correction, and pay attention to the judgment of my lips.
Hear now my argument, and listen to the plea of my lips.
7 Does God require your lie, so that you would speak deceitfully for him?
Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf or speak deceitfully for Him?
8 Have you taken his place, and do you struggle to give judgment in favor of God?
Would you show Him partiality or argue in His defense?
9 Or, will it please him, from whom nothing can be concealed? Or, will he be deceived, like a man, by your deceitfulness?
Would it be well when He examined you? Could you deceive Him like a man?
10 He will accuse you because in secret you have preempted his presence.
Surely He would rebuke you if you secretly showed partiality.
11 As soon as he moves himself, he will disturb you, and his dread will fall over you.
Would His majesty not terrify you? Would the dread of Him not fall upon you?
12 Your remembrance will be compared to ashes, and your necks will be reduced to clay.
Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.
13 Be silent for a little while, so that I may speak whatever my mind suggests to me.
Be silent, and I will speak. Then let come to me what may.
14 Why do I wound my flesh with my teeth, and carry my soul in my hands?
Why do I put myself at risk and take my life in my own hands?
15 And now, if he would kill me, I will hope in him; in this, truly, I will correct my ways in his sight.
Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. I will still defend my ways to His face.
16 And he will be my savior, for no hypocrite at all will approach in his sight.
Moreover, this will be my salvation, for no godless man can appear before Him.
17 Listen to my words, and perceive an enigma with your ears.
Listen carefully to my words; let my declaration ring in your ears.
18 If I will be judged, I know that I will be found to be just.
Behold, now that I have prepared my case, I know that I will be vindicated.
19 Who is it that will go to judgment with me? Let him approach. Why should I be consumed in silence?
Can anyone indict me? If so, I will be silent and die.
20 Do not do such things to me twice, and then I will not hide from your face.
Only grant these two things to me, so that I need not hide from You:
21 Take your hand far away from me, and do not let your dread terrify me.
Withdraw Your hand from me, and do not let Your terror frighten me.
22 Call me, and I will answer you, or else I will speak, and you can answer me.
Then call me, and I will answer, or let me speak, and You can reply.
23 How many iniquities and sins do I have? Reveal my crimes and offenses to me.
How many are my iniquities and sins? Reveal to me my transgression and sin.
24 Why do you conceal your face and consider me to be your enemy?
Why do You hide Your face and consider me as Your enemy?
25 Against a leaf, which is carried away by the wind, you reveal your power, and you pursue dry straw.
Would You frighten a windblown leaf? Would You chase after dry chaff?
26 For you write bitter things against me, and you want to consume me for the sins of my youth.
For You record bitter accusations against me and bequeath to me the iniquities of my youth.
27 You have put my feet on a tether, and you have observed all my paths, and you have considered the steps of my feet.
You put my feet in the stocks and stand watch over all my paths; You set a limit for the soles of my feet.
28 I will be left to decay like something rotten and like a garment that is being eaten by moths.
So man wastes away like something rotten, like a moth-eaten garment.
