Job 13

1 "Look, my eye has seen all this. My ear has heard and understood it.

Truly, my eye has seen all this, word of it has come to my ear, and I have knowledge of it.

2 What you know, I know also. I am not inferior to you.

The same things are in my mind as in yours; I am equal to you.

3 "Surely I would speak to Shaddai. I desire to reason with God.

But I would have talk with the Ruler of all, and my desire is to have an argument with God.

4 But you are forgers of lies. You are all physicians of no value.

But you put a false face on things; all your attempts to put things right are of no value.

5 Oh that you would be completely silent. Then you would be wise.

If only you would keep quiet, it would be a sign of wisdom!

6 Hear now my reasoning. Listen to the pleadings of my lips.

Give ear to the argument of my mouth, and take note of the words of my lips.

7 Will you speak unrighteously for God, and talk deceitfully for him?

Will you say in God's name what is not right, and put false words into his mouth?

8 Will you show partiality to him? Will you contend for God?

Will you have respect for God's person in this cause, and put yourselves forward as his supporters?

9 Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceives a man, will you deceive him?

Will it be good for you to be searched out by him, or have you the thought that he may be guided into error like a man?

10 He will surely reprove you if you secretly show partiality.

He will certainly put you right, if you have respect for persons in secret.

11 Shall not his majesty make you afraid, And his dread fall on you?

Will not his glory put you in fear, so that your hearts will be overcome before him?

12 Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defenses are defenses of clay.

Your wise sayings are only dust, and your strong places are only earth.

13 "Be silent, leave me alone, that I may speak. Let come on me what will.

Keep quiet, and let me say what is in my mind, whatever may come to me.

14 Why should I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand?

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

15 Look, he will kill me. I have no hope. Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him.

Truly, he will put an end to me; I have no hope; but I will not give way in argument before him;

16 This also shall be my salvation, that a godless man shall not come before him.

And that will be my salvation, for an evil-doer would not come before him,

17 Hear diligently my speech. Let my declaration be in your ears.

Give ear with care to my words, and keep what I say in your minds.

18 See now, I have set my cause in order. I know that I am righteous.

See now, I have put my cause in order, and I am certain that I will be seen to be right.

19 Who is he who will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and give up the spirit.

Is any one able to take up the argument against me? If so, I would keep quiet and give up my breath.

20 "Only do not do two things to me; then I will not hide myself from your face:

Only two things do not do to me, then I will come before your face:

21 withdraw your hand far from me; and do not let your terror make me afraid.

Take your hand far away from me; and let me not be overcome by fear of you.

22 Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and you answer me.

Then at the sound of your voice I will give answer; or let me put forward my cause for you to give me an answer.

23 How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me know my disobedience and my sin.

What is the number of my evil-doings and my sins? give me knowledge of them.

24 Why hide you your face, and hold me for your enemy?

Why is your face veiled from me, as if I was numbered among your haters?

25 Will you harass a driven leaf? Will you pursue the dry stubble?

Will you be hard on a leaf in flight before the wind? will you make a dry stem go more quickly on its way?

26 For you write bitter things against me, and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth:

For you put bitter things on record against me, and send punishment on me for the sins of my early years;

27 You also put my feet in the stocks, and mark all my paths. You set a bound to the soles of my feet,

And you put chains on my feet, watching all my ways, and making a limit for my steps;

28 though I am decaying like a rotten thing, like a garment that is moth-eaten.

Though a man comes to nothing like a bit of dead wood, or like a robe which has become food for the worm.