Job 13

1 Behold my eye hath seen all these things, and my ear hath heard them, and I have understood them all.

Behold, mine eye has seen these things, and mine ear has heard [them].

2 According to your knowledge I also know: neither am I inferior to you.

And I know all that you too know; and I have not less understanding than you.

3 But yet I will speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.

Nevertheless I will speak to the Lord, and I will reason before him, if he will.

4 Having first shewn that you are forgers of lies, and maintainers of perverse opinions.

But you are all bad physicians, and healers of diseases.

5 And I wish you would hold your peace, that you might be thought to be wise men.

But would that you were silent, and it would be wisdom to you in the end.

6 Hear ye therefore my reproof, and attend to the judgment of my lips.

But hear you the reasoning of my mouth, and attend to the judgement of my lips.

7 Hath God any need of your lie, that you should speak deceitfully for him?

Do you not speak before the Lord, and utter deceit before him?

8 Do you accept his person, and do you endeavour to judge for God?

Or will you draw back? nay do, you yourselves be judges.

9 Or shall it please him, from whom nothing can be concealed? or shall he be deceived as a man, with your deceitful dealings?

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 shall reprove you, because in secret you accept his person.

he will not reprove you at all the less: but if moreover you should secretly respect persons,

11 As soon as he shall move himself, he shall trouble you: and his dread shall fall upon you.

shall not his whirlpool sweep you round, and terror from him fall upon you?

12 Your remembrance shall be compared to ashes, and your necks shall be brought to clay.

And your glorying shall prove in the end to you like ashes, and your body [like a body] of clay.

13 Hold your peace a little while, that I may speak whatsoever my mind shall suggest to me.

Be silent, that I may speak, and cease from [mine] anger,

14 Why do I tear 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 Although he should bill me, I will trust in him: but yet I will reprove 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 shall be my saviour: for no hypocrite shall come before his presence.

And this shall turn to me for salvation; for fraud shall have no entrance before him.

17 Hear ye my speech, and receive with Sour ears hidden truths.

Hear, hear you my words, for I will declare in your hearing.

18 If I shall be judged, I know that I shall be found just.

Behold, I am near my judgement: I know that I shall appear evidently just.

19 Who is he that will plead against me? let him come: why am I consumed holding my peace?

For who is he that shall plead with me, that I should now be silent, and expire?

20 Two things only do not to me, and then from thy face I shall not be hid:

But grant me two things: then I will not hide myself from your face.

21 Withdraw thy hand far from me, and let not thy dread terrify me.

Withhold [your] hand from me: and let not your fear terrify me.

22 Call me, and I will answer thee: or else I will speak, and do thou 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 are my iniquities and sins? make me know my crimes and offences.

How many are my sins and my transgressions? teach me what they are.

24 Why hidest thou thy face, and thinkest me thy enemy?

Therefore hide you yourself from me, and deem me your enemy?

25 Against a leaf, that is carried away with the wind, thou shewest thy power, and thou pursuest a 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 thou writest bitter things against me, and wilt 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 Thou hast put my feet in the stocks, and hast observed all my paths, and hast 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 Who am to be consumed as rottenness, and as a garment that is moth-eaten.

[I am as] that which waxes old like a bottle, or like a moth-eaten garment.