Job 13
1 “Hey, I [SYN] have seen everything [that you have seen], and I have heard and understood all [that you have said].
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 also know; I do (not know less than/know as much as) you.
I know what you know. You're no better than me.
3 But I would like to speak to Almighty God, [not to you]; I would like to argue with him [and prove that I (am innocent/have not done things that are wrong]).
But I would still like to speak to the Almighty: I want to prove myself to God!
4 As for you, you do not allow people to know the truth about me, like someone covers [up a bad surface of a wall] with whitewash [MET]. You are all like doctors [MET] [that give people] useless [medicines].
As for you, you cover things up by telling lies! You are all like doctors who can't heal anyone!
5 I wish/desire that you would be silent; that would be the wisest thing that you [could do].
I wish you would all be quiet! That would be the wisest thing for you to do.
6 Listen to what I will say to you now; listen while I am saying [what is true about myself].
Listen to my argument and pay attention to what I have to say.
7 Are you telling lies about me to prove God [is just in causing me to suffer]? Are you saying what is deceitful in order to benefit him?
Do you think you can tell lies to defend God? Are you talking deceitfully on his behalf?
8 Are you trying to defend him? Are you trying to prove [as you would] in a court that he is innocent?
Or are you wanting to show God favoritism? Are you going to argue God's case for him?
9 If he looks closely, will he find that everything that you have done is good? Or can you deceive him, like you deceive other people?
Will you be found to be doing good when God examines you? Can you fool him as if he's a human being?
10 If you secretly say/do things to cause God to act favorably toward you, he will surely rebuke you.
No, he will definitely rebuke you if you secretly show him favoritism!
11 He will certainly [RHQ] cause you to be terrified by his power/greatness; you will become extremely afraid.
Isn't his majesty terrifying to you? Aren't you so afraid of him you're paralyzed?
12 The things that you say [that you think are] wise are [as useless as] [MET] as ashes; what you say to defend your opinions is no better than [MET] clay [that quickly crumbles].
Your sayings are as helpful as ashes; your arguments as weak as clay.
13 “So, be quiet and allow me to speak, and then it will not matter what happens to me.
Be quiet. Don't talk to me. Let me speak, come what may.
14 I am ready to endure anything; I am [even] willing to risk being executed [IDM, DOU] [for what I will say].
I take responsibility for myself; I am ready to risk my life.
15 If God kills me, then I will not have anyone else whom I can confidently expect to help me, but I am going to defend my behavior in his presence [anyway].
Even though he kills me, I will hope in him. I am still going to defend my ways before him.
16 No wicked/godless person would dare to stand in the presence of God, [but because I say that I have not done things that are wrong], perhaps, if I can prove that to God, he will save me.”
By doing this I will be saved since no godless person could come before him.
17 “God, listen very carefully to what I say [DOU].
Listen carefully to what I say, pay attention to my explanation.
18 I am ready to prove that I am innocent, and I know that you also will declare that I am not guilty.
Look, I've prepared my case—I know I will be proved right.
19 I certainly do not think [RHQ] that [you or anyone else] will say that what I say is not true; if anyone did that, I would (be silent/stop talking) and die.
Who wants to argue with me? If I'm proved wrong, I'm prepared to be quiet and die.
20 “I am requesting you to do two things for me; if you do them, I will (not hide from you/come and stand in front of you) [LIT].
God, I have two requests, then I can face you.
21 [The first thing that I request is that you] stop punishing [IDM] me; and [the second thing that I request is that you] stop causing me to be very terrified.
Stop beating me, and stop terrifying me.
22 You speak [first], and then I will reply; or allow me to speak first, and [then] you reply.
Then call, and I will answer. Or let me speak, and then answer me.
23 What have I done that is wrong? What sins have I committed? Show me how I have disobeyed you.
What are my sins and iniquities? Show me what have I done wrong; how have I rebelled against you?
24 Why (do you refuse to be friendly with/have you abandoned) me [IDM]? Why do you (act toward me as though I am/consider me to be) your enemy?
Why are you unfriendly towards me? Why do you treat me as your enemy?
25 I am [as insignificant as] [MET] a leaf that is blown by the wind; why are you trying to cause me to be afraid [RHQ]? Why are you pursuing me? Am I [useless, nothing more than a bit of] dry chaff [RHQ]?
Would you frighten a leaf blown by the wind or hunt down a piece of straw?
26 [It seems that] you are writing things to accuse me [of doing things that are wrong], even recalling bad things that I did when I was young.
For you write down bitter things against me and pay me back for the sins of my youth.
27 [It is as though] you have fastened my feet with chains [to prevent me from walking], and you watch me wherever I walk; [It is as though] you even look closely at my footprints [to see where I have gone].
You put my feet in the stocks. You keep an eye on every step I take. You even inspect my footprints!
28 [As a result], my body is decaying like [SIM] rotten wood, like a piece of cloth that is eaten by [larvae of] moths.”
I'm falling apart like something rotten, like moth-eaten clothes.
