Job 13
1 Behold my eye hath seen all these things, and my ear hath heard them, and I have understood them all.
Lo, mine eye hath seen all this, mine ear hath heard and understood it.
2 According to your knowledge I also know: neither am I inferior to you.
What ye know, do I know also; I am not inferior unto you.
3 But yet I will speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.
Notwithstanding I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.
4 Having first shewn that you are forgers of lies, and maintainers of perverse opinions.
But ye are plasterers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.
5 And I wish you would hold your peace, that you might be thought to be wise men.
Oh that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it would be your wisdom.
6 Hear ye therefore my reproof, and attend to the judgment of my lips.
Hear now my reasoning, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips.
7 Hath God any need of your lie, that you should speak deceitfully for him?
Will ye speak unrighteously for God, and talk deceitfully for Him?
8 Do you accept his person, and do you endeavour to judge for God?
Will ye show Him favour? Will ye contend for God?
9 Or shall it please him, from whom nothing can be concealed? or shall he be deceived as a man, with your deceitful dealings?
Would it be good that He should search you out? Or as one mocketh a man, will ye mock Him?
10 He shall reprove you, because in secret you accept his person.
He will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly show favour.
11 As soon as he shall move himself, he shall trouble you: and his dread shall fall upon you.
Shall not His majesty terrify you, and His dread fall upon you?
12 Your remembrance shall be compared to ashes, and your necks shall be brought to clay.
Your memorials shall be like unto ashes, your eminences to eminences of clay.
13 Hold your peace a little while, that I may speak whatsoever my mind shall suggest to me.
Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what will.
14 Why do I tear 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 Although he should bill me, I will trust in him: but yet I will reprove 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 shall be my saviour: for no hypocrite shall come before his presence.
This also shall be my salvation, that a hypocrite cannot come before Him.
17 Hear ye my speech, and receive with Sour ears hidden truths.
Hear diligently my speech, and let my declaration be in your ears.
18 If I shall be judged, I know that I shall be found just.
Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified.
19 Who is he that will plead against me? let him come: why am I consumed holding my peace?
Who is he that will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and die.
20 Two things only do not to me, and then from thy face I shall not be hid:
Only do not two things unto me, then will I not hide myself from Thee:
21 Withdraw thy hand far from me, and let not thy dread terrify me.
Withdraw Thy hand far from me; and let not Thy terror make me afraid.
22 Call me, and I will answer thee: or else I will speak, and do thou answer me.
Then call Thou, and I will answer; or let me speak, and answer Thou me.
23 How many are my iniquities and sins? make me know my crimes and offences.
How many are mine iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgression and my sin.
24 Why hidest thou thy face, and thinkest me thy enemy?
Wherefore hidest Thou Thy face, and holdest me for Thine enemy?
25 Against a leaf, that is carried away with the wind, thou shewest thy power, and thou pursuest a dry straw.
Wilt Thou harass a driven leaf? And wilt Thou pursue the dry stubble?
26 For thou writest bitter things against me, and wilt 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 Thou hast put my feet in the stocks, and hast observed all my paths, and hast 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 Who am to be consumed as rottenness, and as a garment that is moth-eaten.
Though I am like a wine-skin that consumeth, like a garment that is moth-eaten.
