Job 13
1 Behold my eye hath seen all these things, and my ear hath heard them, and I have understood them all.
See, my eye has seen all this; my ear has heard and understood it.
2 According to your knowledge I also know: neither am I inferior to you.
What you know, the same I also know; I am not inferior to you.
3 But yet I will speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.
However, I would rather speak with the Almighty; I wish to reason with God.
4 Having first shewn that you are forgers of lies, and maintainers of perverse opinions.
But you whitewash the truth with lies; you 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 you would altogether hold your peace! That would be your wisdom.
6 Hear ye therefore my reproof, and attend to the judgment of my lips.
Hear now my own reasoning; listen to the pleading of my own lips.
7 Hath God any need of your lie, that you should speak deceitfully for him?
Will you speak unrighteously for God, and will you talk deceitfully for him?
8 Do you accept his person, and do you endeavour to judge for God?
Will you show him partiality? Will you argue the case 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?
Will it be good for you when he searches you out? Could you deceive him as you might deceive men?
10 He shall reprove you, because in secret you accept his person.
He would surely reprove you if in secret you showed partiality.
11 As soon as he shall move himself, he shall trouble you: and his dread shall fall upon you.
Will not his majesty terrify you, and the dread of him fall upon you?
12 Your remembrance shall be compared to ashes, and your necks shall be brought to clay.
Your memorable sayings are proverbs made of ashes; your defenses are defenses made 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, so that I may speak, let come what may on me.
14 Why do I tear my flesh with my teeth, and carry my soul in my hands?
I will take my own flesh in my teeth; I will take my life in my hands.
15 Although he should bill me, I will trust in him: but yet I will reprove my ways in his sight.
See, if he kills me, I will have no hope left; nevertheless, I will defend my ways before him.
16 And he shall be my saviour: for no hypocrite shall come before his presence.
This will be the reason for my deliverance, for no godless person would come before him.
17 Hear ye my speech, and receive with Sour ears hidden truths.
God, listen carefully to my speech; let my declaration come to your ears.
18 If I shall be judged, I know that I shall be found just.
See now, I have set my defense in order; I know that I am innocent.
19 Who is he that will plead against me? let him come: why am I consumed holding my peace?
Who is the one who would argue against me in court? If you came to do so, and if I were proved wrong, then I would be silent and give up my life.
20 Two things only do not to me, and then from thy face I shall not be hid:
God, do only two things for me, and then I will not hide myself from your face:
21 Withdraw thy hand far from me, and let not thy dread terrify me.
withdraw your oppressive hand from me, and do not let your terrors make me afraid.
22 Call me, and I will answer thee: or else I will speak, and do thou answer me.
Then call me, and I will answer; or let me speak to you, and you answer me.
23 How many are my iniquities and sins? make me know my crimes and offences.
How many are my iniquities and sins? Let me know my transgression and my sin.
24 Why hidest thou thy face, and thinkest me thy enemy?
Why do you hide your face from me and treat me like 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 persecute a driven leaf? Will you pursue dry stubble?
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; you make me 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:
You also put my feet in the stocks; you closely watch all my paths; you examine the ground where the soles of my feet have walked
28 Who am to be consumed as rottenness, and as a garment that is moth-eaten.
although I am like a rotten thing that wastes away, like a garment that moths have eaten.
