Job 13

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

“Hey, I [SYN] have seen everything [that you have seen], and I have heard and understood all [that you have said].

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

What you know, I also know; I do (not know less than/know as much as) you.

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

But I would like to speak to Almighty God, [not to you]; I would like to argue with him [and prove that I (am innocent/have not done things that are wrong]).

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

As for you, you do not allow people to know the truth about me, like someone covers [up a bad surface of a wall] with whitewash [MET]. You are all like doctors [MET] [that give people] useless [medicines].

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

I wish/desire that you would be silent; that would be the wisest thing that you [could do].

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

Listen to what I will say to you now; listen while I am saying [what is true about myself].

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

Are you telling lies about me to prove God [is just in causing me to suffer]? Are you saying what is deceitful in order to benefit him?

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

Are you trying to defend him? Are you trying to prove [as you would] in a court that he is innocent?

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

If he looks closely, will he find that everything that you have done is good? Or can you deceive him, like you deceive other people?

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

If you secretly say/do things to cause God to act favorably toward you, he will surely rebuke you.

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

He will certainly [RHQ] cause you to be terrified by his power/greatness; you will become extremely afraid.

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

The things that you say [that you think are] wise are [as useless as] [MET] as ashes; what you say to defend your opinions is no better than [MET] clay [that quickly crumbles].

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

“So, be quiet and allow me to speak, and then it will not matter what happens to me.

14 Why do I tear my flesh with my teeth, and carry my soul in my hands?

I am ready to endure anything; I am [even] willing to risk being executed [IDM, DOU] [for what I will say].

15 Although he should bill me, I will trust in him: but yet I will reprove my ways in his sight.

If God kills me, then I will not have anyone else whom I can confidently expect to help me, but I am going to defend my behavior in his presence [anyway].

16 And he shall be my saviour: for no hypocrite shall come before his presence.

No wicked/godless person would dare to stand in the presence of God, [but because I say that I have not done things that are wrong], perhaps, if I can prove that to God, he will save me.”

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

“God, listen very carefully to what I say [DOU].

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

I am ready to prove that I am innocent, and I know that you also will declare that I am not guilty.

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

I certainly do not think [RHQ] that [you or anyone else] will say that what I say is not true; if anyone did that, I would (be silent/stop talking) and die.

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

“I am requesting you to do two things for me; if you do them, I will (not hide from you/come and stand in front of you) [LIT].

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

[The first thing that I request is that you] stop punishing [IDM] me; and [the second thing that I request is that you] stop causing me to be very terrified.

22 Call me, and I will answer thee: or else I will speak, and do thou answer me.

You speak [first], and then I will reply; or allow me to speak first, and [then] you reply.

23 How many are my iniquities and sins? make me know my crimes and offences.

What have I done that is wrong? What sins have I committed? Show me how I have disobeyed you.

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

Why (do you refuse to be friendly with/have you abandoned) me [IDM]? Why do you (act toward me as though I am/consider me to be) your enemy?

25 Against a leaf, that is carried away with the wind, thou shewest thy power, and thou pursuest a dry straw.

I am [as insignificant as] [MET] a leaf that is blown by the wind; why are you trying to cause me to be afraid [RHQ]? Why are you pursuing me? Am I [useless, nothing more than a bit of] dry chaff [RHQ]?

26 For thou writest bitter things against me, and wilt consume me for the sins of my youth.

[It seems that] you are writing things to accuse me [of doing things that are wrong], even recalling bad things that I did when I was young.

27 Thou hast put my feet in the stocks, and hast observed all my paths, and hast considered the steps of my feet:

[It is as though] you have fastened my feet with chains [to prevent me from walking], and you watch me wherever I walk; [It is as though] you even look closely at my footprints [to see where I have gone].

28 Who am to be consumed as rottenness, and as a garment that is moth-eaten.

[As a result], my body is decaying like [SIM] rotten wood, like a piece of cloth that is eaten by [larvae of] moths.”