Job 13
1 Lo, mine eye hath seen all [this], mine ear hath heard and understood it.
Truly, my eye has seen all this, word of it has come to my ear, and I have knowledge of it.
2 What ye know, I know also: I am not inferior to you.
The same things are in my mind as in yours; I am equal to you.
3 But I will speak to the Almighty, and will find pleasure in reasoning with God;
But I would have talk with the Ruler of all, and my desire is to have an argument with God.
4 For ye indeed are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.
But you put a false face on things; all your attempts to put things right are of no value.
5 Oh that ye would be altogether silent! and it would be your wisdom.
If only you would keep quiet, it would be a sign of wisdom!
6 Hear now my defence, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips.
Give ear to the argument of my mouth, and take note of the words of my lips.
7 Will ye speak unrighteously for God? and for him speak deceit?
Will you say in God's name what is not right, and put false words into his mouth?
8 Will ye accept his person? will ye contend for God?
Will you have respect for God's person in this cause, and put yourselves forward as his supporters?
9 Will it be well if he should search you out? or as one mocketh at a man, will ye mock at him?
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 certainly reprove you, if ye do secretly accept persons.
He will certainly put you right, if you have respect for persons in secret.
11 Shall not his excellency terrify you? and his dread fall upon you?
Will not his glory put you in fear, so that your hearts will be overcome before him?
12 Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, your bulwarks are bulwarks of mire.
Your wise sayings are only dust, and your strong places are only earth.
13 Hold your peace from me, and I will speak, and let come on me what [will]!
Keep quiet, and let me say what is in my mind, whatever may come to me.
14 Wherefore should I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand?
I will take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand.
15 Behold, if he slay me, yet would I trust in him; but I will defend mine own ways before him.
Truly, he will put an end to me; I have no hope; but I will not give way in argument before him;
16 This also shall be my salvation, that a profane man shall not come before his face.
And that will be my salvation, for an evil-doer would not come before him,
17 Hear attentively my speech and my declaration with your ears.
Give ear with care to my words, and keep what I say in your minds.
18 Behold now, I have ordered the cause; I know that I shall be justified.
See now, I have put my cause in order, and I am certain that I will be seen to be right.
19 Who is he that contendeth with me? For if I were silent now, I should expire.
Is any one able to take up the argument against me? If so, I would keep quiet and give up my breath.
20 Only do not two things unto me; then will I not hide myself from thee.
Only two things do not do to me, then I will come before your face:
21 Withdraw thy hand far from me; and let not thy terror make me afraid:
Take your hand far away from me; and let me not be overcome by fear of you.
22 Then call, and I will answer; or I will speak, and answer thou 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 are mine iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgression and my sin.
What is the number of my evil-doings and my sins? give me knowledge of them.
24 Wherefore dost thou hide thy face, and countest me for thine enemy?
Why is your face veiled from me, as if I was numbered among your haters?
25 Wilt thou terrify a driven leaf? and wilt thou pursue dry stubble?
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 thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess the iniquities 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 And thou puttest my feet in the stocks, and markest all my paths; thou settest a bound about the soles of my feet; —
And you put chains on my feet, watching all my ways, and making a limit for my steps;
28 One who, as a rotten thing consumeth, as a garment that the moth eateth.
Though a man comes to nothing like a bit of dead wood, or like a robe which has become food for the worm.
