Job 13
1 Behold my eye hath seen all these things, and my ear hath heard them, and I have understood them all.
Look, I've seen all this with my own eyes, and heard it with my own ears, and I understand it.
2 According to your knowledge I also know: neither am I inferior to you.
I know what you know. You're no better than me.
3 But yet I will speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.
But I would still like to speak to the Almighty: I want to prove myself to God!
4 Having first shewn that you are forgers of lies, and maintainers of perverse opinions.
As for you, you cover things up by telling lies! You are all like doctors who can't heal anyone!
5 And I wish you would hold your peace, that you might be thought to be wise men.
I wish you would all be quiet! That would be the wisest thing for you to do.
6 Hear ye therefore my reproof, and attend to the judgment of my lips.
Listen to my argument and pay attention to what I have to say.
7 Hath God any need of your lie, that you should speak deceitfully for him?
Do you think you can tell lies to defend God? Are you talking deceitfully on his behalf?
8 Do you accept his person, and do you endeavour to judge for God?
Or are you wanting to show God favoritism? Are you going to argue God's case for him?
9 Or shall it please him, from whom nothing can be concealed? or shall he be deceived as a man, with your deceitful dealings?
Will you be found to be doing good when God examines you? Can you fool him as if he's a human being?
10 He shall reprove you, because in secret you accept his person.
No, he will definitely rebuke you if you secretly show him favoritism!
11 As soon as he shall move himself, he shall trouble you: and his dread shall fall upon you.
Isn't his majesty terrifying to you? Aren't you so afraid of him you're paralyzed?
12 Your remembrance shall be compared to ashes, and your necks shall be brought to clay.
Your sayings are as helpful as ashes; your arguments as weak as clay.
13 Hold your peace a little while, that I may speak whatsoever my mind shall suggest to me.
Be quiet. Don't talk to me. Let me speak, come what may.
14 Why do I tear my flesh with my teeth, and carry my soul in my hands?
I take responsibility for myself; I am ready to risk my life.
15 Although he should bill me, I will trust in him: but yet I will reprove my ways in his sight.
Even though he kills me, I will hope in him. I am still going to defend my ways before him.
16 And he shall be my saviour: for no hypocrite shall come before his presence.
By doing this I will be saved since no godless person could come before him.
17 Hear ye my speech, and receive with Sour ears hidden truths.
Listen carefully to what I say, pay attention to my explanation.
18 If I shall be judged, I know that I shall be found just.
Look, I've prepared my case—I know I will be proved right.
19 Who is he that will plead against me? let him come: why am I consumed holding my peace?
Who wants to argue with me? If I'm proved wrong, I'm prepared to be quiet and die.
20 Two things only do not to me, and then from thy face I shall not be hid:
God, I have two requests, then I can face you.
21 Withdraw thy hand far from me, and let not thy dread terrify me.
Stop beating me, and stop terrifying me.
22 Call me, and I will answer thee: or else I will speak, and do thou answer me.
Then call, and I will answer. Or let me speak, and then answer me.
23 How many are my iniquities and sins? make me know my crimes and offences.
What are my sins and iniquities? Show me what have I done wrong; how have I rebelled against you?
24 Why hidest thou thy face, and thinkest me thy enemy?
Why are you unfriendly towards me? Why do you treat me as your enemy?
25 Against a leaf, that is carried away with the wind, thou shewest thy power, and thou pursuest a dry straw.
Would you frighten a leaf blown by the wind or hunt down a piece of straw?
26 For thou writest bitter things against me, and wilt consume me for the sins of my youth.
For you write down bitter things against me and pay me back for 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:
You put my feet in the stocks. You keep an eye on every step I take. You even inspect my footprints!
28 Who am to be consumed as rottenness, and as a garment that is moth-eaten.
I'm falling apart like something rotten, like moth-eaten clothes.
