Job 13
1 Look, I've seen all this with my own eyes, and heard it with my own ears, and I understand it.
“Indeed, my eyes have seen all this; my ears have heard and understood.
2 I know what you know. You're no better than me.
What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.
3 But I would still like to speak to the Almighty: I want to prove myself to God!
Yet I desire to speak to the Almighty and argue my case before God.
4 As for you, you cover things up by telling lies! You are all like doctors who can't heal anyone!
You, however, smear with lies; you are all worthless physicians.
5 I wish you would all be quiet! That would be the wisest thing for you to do.
If only you would remain silent; for that would be your wisdom!
6 Listen to my argument and pay attention to what I have to say.
Hear now my argument, and listen to the plea of my lips.
7 Do you think you can tell lies to defend God? Are you talking deceitfully on his behalf?
Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf or speak deceitfully for Him?
8 Or are you wanting to show God favoritism? Are you going to argue God's case for him?
Would you show Him partiality or argue in His defense?
9 Will you be found to be doing good when God examines you? Can you fool him as if he's a human being?
Would it be well when He examined you? Could you deceive Him like a man?
10 No, he will definitely rebuke you if you secretly show him favoritism!
Surely He would rebuke you if you secretly showed partiality.
11 Isn't his majesty terrifying to you? Aren't you so afraid of him you're paralyzed?
Would His majesty not terrify you? Would the dread of Him not fall upon you?
12 Your sayings are as helpful as ashes; your arguments as weak as clay.
Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.
13 Be quiet. Don't talk to me. Let me speak, come what may.
Be silent, and I will speak. Then let come to me what may.
14 I take responsibility for myself; I am ready to risk my life.
Why do I put myself at risk and take my life in my own hands?
15 Even though he kills me, I will hope in him. I am still going to defend my ways before him.
Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. I will still defend my ways to His face.
16 By doing this I will be saved since no godless person could come before him.
Moreover, this will be my salvation, for no godless man can appear before Him.
17 Listen carefully to what I say, pay attention to my explanation.
Listen carefully to my words; let my declaration ring in your ears.
18 Look, I've prepared my case—I know I will be proved right.
Behold, now that I have prepared my case, I know that I will be vindicated.
19 Who wants to argue with me? If I'm proved wrong, I'm prepared to be quiet and die.
Can anyone indict me? If so, I will be silent and die.
20 God, I have two requests, then I can face you.
Only grant these two things to me, so that I need not hide from You:
21 Stop beating me, and stop terrifying me.
Withdraw Your hand from me, and do not let Your terror frighten me.
22 Then call, and I will answer. Or let me speak, and then answer me.
Then call me, and I will answer, or let me speak, and You can reply.
23 What are my sins and iniquities? Show me what have I done wrong; how have I rebelled against you?
How many are my iniquities and sins? Reveal to me my transgression and sin.
24 Why are you unfriendly towards me? Why do you treat me as your enemy?
Why do You hide Your face and consider me as Your enemy?
25 Would you frighten a leaf blown by the wind or hunt down a piece of straw?
Would You frighten a windblown leaf? Would You chase after dry chaff?
26 For you write down bitter things against me and pay me back for the sins of my youth.
For You record bitter accusations against me and bequeath to me the iniquities of my youth.
27 You put my feet in the stocks. You keep an eye on every step I take. You even inspect my footprints!
You put my feet in the stocks and stand watch over all my paths; You set a limit for the soles of my feet.
28 I'm falling apart like something rotten, like moth-eaten clothes.
So man wastes away like something rotten, like a moth-eaten garment.
