Job 13
1 Behold, my eye has seen all these things, and my ear has heard, and I have understood each one.
Truly, my eye has seen all this, word of it has come to my ear, and I have knowledge of it.
2 In conformity with your knowledge, I also know. I am not inferior to you.
The same things are in my mind as in yours; I am equal to you.
3 Yet I speak this way to the Almighty, and I desire to argue with God,
But I would have talk with the Ruler of all, and my desire is to have an argument with God.
4 having first shown that you fabricate lies and cultivate perverse teachings.
But you put a false face on things; all your attempts to put things right are of no value.
5 And I wish that you would remain silent, so that you would be counted among the wise.
If only you would keep quiet, it would be a sign of wisdom!
6 Therefore, listen to my correction, and pay attention to the judgment of my lips.
Give ear to the argument of my mouth, and take note of the words of my lips.
7 Does God require your lie, so that you would speak deceitfully for him?
Will you say in God's name what is not right, and put false words into his mouth?
8 Have you taken his place, and do you struggle to give judgment in favor of God?
Will you have respect for God's person in this cause, and put yourselves forward as his supporters?
9 Or, will it please him, from whom nothing can be concealed? Or, will he be deceived, like a man, by your deceitfulness?
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?
10 He will accuse you because in secret you have preempted his presence.
He will certainly put you right, if you have respect for persons in secret.
11 As soon as he moves himself, he will disturb you, and his dread will fall over you.
Will not his glory put you in fear, so that your hearts will be overcome before him?
12 Your remembrance will be compared to ashes, and your necks will be reduced to clay.
Your wise sayings are only dust, and your strong places are only earth.
13 Be silent for a little while, so that I may speak whatever my mind suggests to me.
Keep quiet, and let me say what is in my mind, whatever may come to me.
14 Why do I wound my flesh with my teeth, and carry my soul in my hands?
I will take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand.
15 And now, if he would kill me, I will hope in him; in this, truly, I will correct my ways in his sight.
Truly, he will put an end to me; I have no hope; but I will not give way in argument before him;
16 And he will be my savior, for no hypocrite at all will approach in his sight.
And that will be my salvation, for an evil-doer would not come before him,
17 Listen to my words, and perceive an enigma with your ears.
Give ear with care to my words, and keep what I say in your minds.
18 If I will be judged, I know that I will be found to be just.
See now, I have put my cause in order, and I am certain that I will be seen to be right.
19 Who is it that will go to judgment with me? Let him approach. Why should I be consumed in silence?
Is any one able to take up the argument against me? If so, I would keep quiet and give up my breath.
20 Do not do such things to me twice, and then I will not hide from your face.
Only two things do not do to me, then I will come before your face:
21 Take your hand far away from me, and do not let your dread terrify me.
Take your hand far away from me; and let me not be overcome by fear of you.
22 Call me, and I will answer you, or else I will speak, and you can answer me.
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.
23 How many iniquities and sins do I have? Reveal my crimes and offenses to me.
What is the number of my evil-doings and my sins? give me knowledge of them.
24 Why do you conceal your face and consider me to be your enemy?
Why is your face veiled from me, as if I was numbered among your haters?
25 Against a leaf, which is carried away by the wind, you reveal your power, and you pursue dry straw.
Will you be hard on a leaf in flight before the wind? will you make a dry stem go more quickly on its way?
26 For you write bitter things against me, and you want to consume me for the sins of my youth.
For you put bitter things on record against me, and send punishment on me for the sins of my early years;
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.
And you put chains on my feet, watching all my ways, and making a limit for my steps;
28 I will be left to decay like something rotten and like a garment that is being eaten by moths.
Though a man comes to nothing like a bit of dead wood, or like a robe which has become food for the worm.
