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 my eye hath seen all these things, and my ear hath heard them, and I have understood them all.
2 I know what you know. You're no better than me.
According to your knowledge I also know: neither am I inferior to you.
3 But I would still like to speak to the Almighty: I want to prove myself to God!
But yet I will speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.
4 As for you, you cover things up by telling lies! You are all like doctors who can't heal anyone!
Having first shewn that you are forgers of lies, and maintainers of perverse opinions.
5 I wish you would all be quiet! That would be the wisest thing for you to do.
And I wish you would hold your peace, that you might be thought to be wise men.
6 Listen to my argument and pay attention to what I have to say.
Hear ye therefore my reproof, 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?
Hath God any need of your lie, that you should speak deceitfully for him?
8 Or are you wanting to show God favoritism? Are you going to argue God's case for him?
Do you accept his person, and do you endeavour to judge for God?
9 Will you be found to be doing good when God examines you? Can you fool him as if he's a human being?
Or shall it please him, from whom nothing can be concealed? or shall he be deceived as a man, with your deceitful dealings?
10 No, he will definitely rebuke you if you secretly show him favoritism!
He shall reprove you, because in secret you accept his person.
11 Isn't his majesty terrifying to you? Aren't you so afraid of him you're paralyzed?
As soon as he shall move himself, he shall trouble you: and his dread shall fall upon you.
12 Your sayings are as helpful as ashes; your arguments as weak as clay.
Your remembrance shall be compared to ashes, and your necks shall be brought to clay.
13 Be quiet. Don't talk to me. Let me speak, come what may.
Hold your peace a little while, that I may speak whatsoever my mind shall suggest to me.
14 I take responsibility for myself; I am ready to risk my life.
Why do I tear my flesh with my teeth, and carry my soul in my hands?
15 Even though he kills me, I will hope in him. I am still going to defend my ways before him.
Although he should bill me, I will trust in him: but yet I will reprove my ways in his sight.
16 By doing this I will be saved since no godless person could come before him.
And he shall be my saviour: for no hypocrite shall come before his presence.
17 Listen carefully to what I say, pay attention to my explanation.
Hear ye my speech, and receive with Sour ears hidden truths.
18 Look, I've prepared my case—I know I will be proved right.
If I shall be judged, I know that I shall be found just.
19 Who wants to argue with me? If I'm proved wrong, I'm prepared to be quiet and die.
Who is he that will plead against me? let him come: why am I consumed holding my peace?
20 God, I have two requests, then I can face you.
Two things only do not to me, and then from thy face I shall not be hid:
21 Stop beating me, and stop terrifying me.
Withdraw thy hand far from me, and let not thy dread terrify me.
22 Then call, and I will answer. Or let me speak, and then answer me.
Call me, and I will answer thee: or else I will speak, and do thou answer me.
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? make me know my crimes and offences.
24 Why are you unfriendly towards me? Why do you treat me as your enemy?
Why hidest thou thy face, and thinkest me thy enemy?
25 Would you frighten a leaf blown by the wind or hunt down a piece of straw?
Against a leaf, that is carried away with the wind, thou shewest thy power, and thou pursuest a dry straw.
26 For you write down bitter things against me and pay me back for the sins of my youth.
For thou writest bitter things against me, and wilt consume me for 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!
Thou hast put my feet in the stocks, and hast observed all my paths, and hast considered the steps of my feet:
28 I'm falling apart like something rotten, like moth-eaten clothes.
Who am to be consumed as rottenness, and as a garment that is moth-eaten.
