Job 13
1 "Look, my eye has seen all this. My ear has heard and understood it.
Look, I've seen all this with my own eyes, and heard it with my own ears, and I understand it.
2 What you know, I know also. I am not inferior to you.
I know what you know. You're no better than me.
3 "Surely I would speak to Shaddai. I desire to reason with God.
But I would still like to speak to the Almighty: I want to prove myself to God!
4 But you are forgers of lies. You are all physicians of no value.
As for you, you cover things up by telling lies! You are all like doctors who can't heal anyone!
5 Oh that you would be completely silent. Then you would be wise.
I wish you would all be quiet! That would be the wisest thing for you to do.
6 Hear now my reasoning. Listen to the pleadings of my lips.
Listen to my argument and pay attention to what I have to say.
7 Will you speak unrighteously for God, and talk deceitfully for him?
Do you think you can tell lies to defend God? Are you talking deceitfully on his behalf?
8 Will you show partiality to him? Will you contend for God?
Or are you wanting to show God favoritism? Are you going to argue God's case for him?
9 Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceives a man, will you deceive him?
Will you be found to be doing good when God examines you? Can you fool him as if he's a human being?
10 He will surely reprove you if you secretly show partiality.
No, he will definitely rebuke you if you secretly show him favoritism!
11 Shall not his majesty make you afraid, And his dread fall on you?
Isn't his majesty terrifying to you? Aren't you so afraid of him you're paralyzed?
12 Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defenses are defenses of clay.
Your sayings are as helpful as ashes; your arguments as weak as clay.
13 "Be silent, leave me alone, that I may speak. Let come on me what will.
Be quiet. Don't talk to me. Let me speak, come what may.
14 Why should I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand?
I take responsibility for myself; I am ready to risk my life.
15 Look, he will kill me. I have no hope. Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him.
Even though he kills me, I will hope in him. I am still going to defend my ways before him.
16 This also shall be my salvation, that a godless man shall not come before him.
By doing this I will be saved since no godless person could come before him.
17 Hear diligently my speech. Let my declaration be in your ears.
Listen carefully to what I say, pay attention to my explanation.
18 See now, I have set my cause in order. I know that I am righteous.
Look, I've prepared my case—I know I will be proved right.
19 Who is he who will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and give up the spirit.
Who wants to argue with me? If I'm proved wrong, I'm prepared to be quiet and die.
20 "Only do not do two things to me; then I will not hide myself from your face:
God, I have two requests, then I can face you.
21 withdraw your hand far from me; and do not let your terror make me afraid.
Stop beating me, and stop terrifying me.
22 Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and you answer me.
Then call, and I will answer. Or let me speak, and then answer me.
23 How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me know my disobedience and my sin.
What are my sins and iniquities? Show me what have I done wrong; how have I rebelled against you?
24 Why hide you your face, and hold me for your enemy?
Why are you unfriendly towards me? Why do you treat me as your enemy?
25 Will you harass a driven leaf? Will you pursue the dry stubble?
Would you frighten a leaf blown by the wind or hunt down a piece of straw?
26 For you write bitter things against me, and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth:
For you write down bitter things against me and pay me back for the sins of my youth.
27 You also put my feet in the stocks, and mark all my paths. You set a bound to the soles of my feet,
You put my feet in the stocks. You keep an eye on every step I take. You even inspect my footprints!
28 though I am decaying like a rotten thing, like a garment that is moth-eaten.
I'm falling apart like something rotten, like moth-eaten clothes.
