Job 13
1 Behold, my eye has seen all these things, and my ear has heard, and I have understood each one.
Lo, mine eye hath seen all this, mine ear hath heard and understood it.
2 In conformity with your knowledge, I also know. I am not inferior to you.
What ye know, do I know also; I am not inferior unto you.
3 Yet I speak this way to the Almighty, and I desire to argue with God,
Notwithstanding I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.
4 having first shown that you fabricate lies and cultivate perverse teachings.
But ye are plasterers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.
5 And I wish that you would remain silent, so that you would be counted among the wise.
Oh that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it would be your wisdom.
6 Therefore, listen to my correction, and pay attention to the judgment of my lips.
Hear now my reasoning, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips.
7 Does God require your lie, so that you would speak deceitfully for him?
Will ye speak unrighteously for God, and talk deceitfully for Him?
8 Have you taken his place, and do you struggle to give judgment in favor of God?
Will ye show Him favour? Will ye contend for God?
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 good that He should search you out? Or as one mocketh a man, will ye mock Him?
10 He will accuse you because in secret you have preempted his presence.
He will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly show favour.
11 As soon as he moves himself, he will disturb you, and his dread will fall over you.
Shall not His majesty terrify you, and His dread fall upon you?
12 Your remembrance will be compared to ashes, and your necks will be reduced to clay.
Your memorials shall be like unto ashes, your eminences to eminences of clay.
13 Be silent for a little while, so that I may speak whatever my mind suggests to me.
Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what will.
14 Why do I wound my flesh with my teeth, and carry my soul in my hands?
Wherefore? 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.
Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him; but I will argue my ways before Him.
16 And he will be my savior, for no hypocrite at all will approach in his sight.
This also shall be my salvation, that a hypocrite cannot come before Him.
17 Listen to my words, and perceive an enigma with your ears.
Hear diligently my speech, and let my declaration be in your ears.
18 If I will be judged, I know that I will be found to be just.
Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified.
19 Who is it that will go to judgment with me? Let him approach. Why should I be consumed in silence?
Who is he that will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and die.
20 Do not do such things to me twice, and then I will not hide from your face.
Only do not two things unto me, then will I not hide myself from Thee:
21 Take your hand far away from me, and do not let your dread terrify me.
Withdraw Thy hand far from me; and let not Thy terror make me afraid.
22 Call me, and I will answer you, or else I will speak, and you can answer me.
Then call Thou, and I will answer; or let me speak, and answer Thou me.
23 How many iniquities and sins do I have? Reveal my crimes and offenses to me.
How many are mine iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgression and my sin.
24 Why do you conceal your face and consider me to be your enemy?
Wherefore hidest Thou Thy face, and holdest me for Thine enemy?
25 Against a leaf, which is carried away by the wind, you reveal your power, and you pursue dry straw.
Wilt Thou harass a driven leaf? And wilt Thou pursue the dry stubble?
26 For you write bitter things against me, and you want to consume me for the sins of my youth.
That Thou shouldest write bitter things against me, and make me to inherit 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.
Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, and lookest narrowly unto all my paths; Thou drawest Thee a line about 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.
Though I am like a wine-skin that consumeth, like a garment that is moth-eaten.
