Job 13
1 Behold, my eye has seen all these things, and my ear has heard, and I have understood each one.
Behold, mine eye has seen these things, and mine ear has heard [them].
2 In conformity with your knowledge, I also know. I am not inferior to you.
And I know all that you too know; and I have not less understanding than you.
3 Yet I speak this way to the Almighty, and I desire to argue with God,
Nevertheless I will speak to the Lord, and I will reason before him, if he will.
4 having first shown that you fabricate lies and cultivate perverse teachings.
But you are all bad physicians, and healers of diseases.
5 And I wish that you would remain silent, so that you would be counted among the wise.
But would that you were silent, and it would be wisdom to you in the end.
6 Therefore, listen to my correction, and pay attention to the judgment of my lips.
But hear you the reasoning of my mouth, and attend to the judgment of my lips.
7 Does God require your lie, so that you would speak deceitfully for him?
Do you not speak before the Lord, and utter deceit before him?
8 Have you taken his place, and do you struggle to give judgment in favor of God?
Or will you draw back? nay do, you yourselves be judges.
9 Or, will it please him, from whom nothing can be concealed? Or, will he be deceived, like a man, by your deceitfulness?
For [it were] well if he would thoroughly search you: for though doing all things [in your power] you should attach yourselves to him,
10 He will accuse you because in secret you have preempted his presence.
he will not reprove you at all the less: but if moreover you should secretly respect persons,
11 As soon as he moves himself, he will disturb you, and his dread will fall over you.
shall not his whirlpool sweep you round, and terror from him fall upon you?
12 Your remembrance will be compared to ashes, and your necks will be reduced to clay.
And your glorying shall prove in the end to you like ashes, and your body [like a body] of clay.
13 Be silent for a little while, so that I may speak whatever my mind suggests to me.
Be silent, that I may speak, and cease from [mine] anger,
14 Why do I wound my flesh with my teeth, and carry my soul in my hands?
while I may 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 the Mighty One should lay hand upon me, forasmuch as he has begun, verily I will speak, and plead before him.
16 And he will be my savior, for no hypocrite at all will approach in his sight.
And this shall turn to me for salvation; for fraud shall have no entrance before him.
17 Listen to my words, and perceive an enigma with your ears.
Hear, hear you my words, for I will declare in your hearing.
18 If I will be judged, I know that I will be found to be just.
Behold, I am near my judgment: I know that I shall appear evidently just.
19 Who is it that will go to judgment with me? Let him approach. Why should I be consumed in silence?
For who is he that shall plead with me, that I should now be silent, and expire?
20 Do not do such things to me twice, and then I will not hide from your face.
But grant me two things: then I will not hide myself from your face.
21 Take your hand far away from me, and do not let your dread terrify me.
Withhold [your] hand from me: and let not your fear terrify me.
22 Call me, and I will answer you, or else I will speak, and you can answer me.
Then shall you call, and I will listen to you: or you shall speak, and I will give you an answer.
23 How many iniquities and sins do I have? Reveal my crimes and offenses to me.
How many are my sins and my transgressions? teach me what they are.
24 Why do you conceal your face and consider me to be your enemy?
Therefore hide you yourself from me, and deem me your enemy?
25 Against a leaf, which is carried away by the wind, you reveal your power, and you pursue dry straw.
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?
26 For you write bitter things against me, and you want to consume me for the sins of my youth.
for you have written evil things against me, and you have compassed me with the sins 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.
And you have placed my foot in the stocks; and you have watched all my works, and have penetrated my heels.
28 I will be left to decay like something rotten and like a garment that is being eaten by moths.
[I am as] that which waxes old like a bottle, or like a moth-eaten garment.
