Job 13
1 Look, I've seen all this with my own eyes, and heard it with my own ears, and I understand it.
Lo, mine eye hath seen all [this], mine ear hath heard and understood it.
2 I know what you know. You're no better than me.
What ye know, [the same] do I know also: I am not inferior unto you.
3 But I would still like to speak to the Almighty: I want to prove myself to God!
Surely I would 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!
But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.
5 I wish you would all be quiet! That would be the wisest thing for you to do.
Oh that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom.
6 Listen to my argument and pay attention to what I have to say.
Hear now my reasoning, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips.
7 Do you think you can tell lies to defend God? Are you talking deceitfully on his behalf?
Will ye speak unrighteously for God, and talk deceitfully for him?
8 Or are you wanting to show God favoritism? Are you going to argue God's case for him?
Will ye respect his person? will ye contend 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?
Is it good that he should search you out? or as one deceiveth a man, will ye deceive him?
10 No, he will definitely rebuke you if you secretly show him favoritism!
He will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly respect persons.
11 Isn't his majesty terrifying to you? Aren't you so afraid of him you're paralyzed?
Shall not his excellency make you afraid, and his dread fall upon you?
12 Your sayings are as helpful as ashes; your arguments as weak as clay.
Your memorable sayings [are] proverbs of ashes, your defences [are] defences of clay.
13 Be quiet. Don't talk to me. Let me speak, come what may.
Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what wilt.
14 I take responsibility for myself; I am ready to risk my life.
Wherefore should I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand?
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, yet will I wait for him: nevertheless I will maintain my ways before him.
16 By doing this I will be saved since no godless person could come before him.
This also shall be my salvation; for a godless man shall not come before him.
17 Listen carefully to what I say, pay attention to my explanation.
Hear diligently my speech, and let my declaration be in your ears.
18 Look, I've prepared my case—I know I will be proved right.
Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I am righteous.
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 contend with me? for now shall I hold my peace and give up the ghost.
20 God, I have two requests, then I can face you.
Only do not two things unto me, then will I not hide myself from thy face:
21 Stop beating me, and stop terrifying me.
Withdraw thine hand far from me; and let not thy terror make me afraid.
22 Then call, and I will answer. Or let me speak, and then answer me.
Then call thou, and I will answer; or let me speak, and answer thou me.
23 What are my sins and iniquities? Show me what have I done wrong; how have I rebelled against you?
How many are mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin.
24 Why are you unfriendly towards me? Why do you treat me as your enemy?
Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and holdest me for thine enemy?
25 Would you frighten a leaf blown by the wind or hunt down a piece of straw?
Wilt thou harass a driven leaf? and wilt thou pursue the dry stubble?
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 makest me to inherit 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!
Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, and markest all my paths; thou drawest thee a line about the soles of my feet:
28 I'm falling apart like something rotten, like moth-eaten clothes.
Though I am like a rotten thing that consumeth, like a garment that is moth-eaten.
