Job 13

1 Look, I've seen all this with my own eyes, and heard it with my own ears, and I understand it.

Behold, mine eye has seen these things, and mine ear has heard [them].

2 I know what you know. You're no better than me.

And I know all that ye too know; and I have not less understanding than you.

3 But I would still like to speak to the Almighty: I want to prove myself to God!

Nevertheless I will speak to the Lord, and I will reason before him, if he will.

4 As for you, you cover things up by telling lies! You are all like doctors who can't heal anyone!

But ye are all bad physicians, and healers of diseases.

5 I wish you would all be quiet! That would be the wisest thing for you to do.

But would that ye were silent, and it would be wisdom to you in the end.

6 Listen to my argument and pay attention to what I have to say.

But hear ye the reasoning of my mouth, and attend to the judgment of my lips.

7 Do you think you can tell lies to defend God? Are you talking deceitfully on his behalf?

Do ye not speak before the Lord, and utter deceit before him?

8 Or are you wanting to show God favoritism? Are you going to argue God's case for him?

Or will ye draw back? nay do, ye yourselves be judges.

9 Will you be found to be doing good when God examines you? Can you fool him as if he's a human being?

For [it were] well if he would thoroughly search you: for though doing all things [in your power] ye should attach yourselves to him,

10 No, he will definitely rebuke you if you secretly show him favoritism!

he will not reprove you at all the less: but if moreover ye should secretly respect persons,

11 Isn't his majesty terrifying to you? Aren't you so afraid of him you're paralyzed?

shall not his whirlpool sweep you round, and terror from him fall upon you?

12 Your sayings are as helpful as ashes; your arguments as weak as clay.

And your glorying shall prove in the end to you like ashes, and your body [like a body] of clay.

13 Be quiet. Don't talk to me. Let me speak, come what may.

Be silent, that I may speak, and cease from [mine] anger,

14 I take responsibility for myself; I am ready to risk my life.

while I may take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand.

15 Even though he kills me, I will hope in him. I am still going to defend my ways before him.

Though the Mighty One should lay hand upon me, forasmuch as he has begun, verily I will speak, and plead before him.

16 By doing this I will be saved since no godless person could come before him.

And this shall turn to me for salvation; for fraud shall have no entrance before him.

17 Listen carefully to what I say, pay attention to my explanation.

Hear, hear ye my words, for I will declare in your hearing.

18 Look, I've prepared my case—I know I will be proved right.

Behold, I am near my judgment: I know that I shall appear evidently just.

19 Who wants to argue with me? If I'm proved wrong, I'm prepared to be quiet and die.

For who is he that shall plead with me, that I should now be silent, and expire?

20 God, I have two requests, then I can face you.

But grant me two things: then I will not hide myself from thy face.

21 Stop beating me, and stop terrifying me.

Withhold [thine] hand from me: and let not thy fear terrify me.

22 Then call, and I will answer. Or let me speak, and then answer me.

Then shalt thou call, and I will hearken to thee: or thou shalt speak, and I will give thee an answer.

23 What are my sins and iniquities? Show me what have I done wrong; how have I rebelled against you?

How many are my sins and my transgressions? teach me what they are.

24 Why are you unfriendly towards me? Why do you treat me as your enemy?

Wherefore hidest thou thyself from me, and deemest me thine enemy?

25 Would you frighten a leaf blown by the wind or hunt down a piece of straw?

Wilt thou be startled [at me], as [at] a leaf shaken by the wind? or wilt thou set thyself against me as against grass borne upon the breeze?

26 For you write down bitter things against me and pay me back for the sins of my youth.

for thou hast written evil things against me, and thou hast compassed me with the sins 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!

And thou hast placed my foot in the stocks; and thou hast watched all my works, and hast penetrated my heels.

28 I'm falling apart like something rotten, like moth-eaten clothes.

[I am as] that which waxes old like a bottle, or like a moth-eaten garment.