Job 13
1 “Hey, I [SYN] have seen everything [that you have seen], and I have heard and understood all [that you have said].
Behold, mine eye has seen these things, and mine ear has heard [them].
2 What you know, I also know; I do (not know less than/know as much as) you.
And I know all that you too know; and I have not less understanding than you.
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]).
Nevertheless I will speak to the Lord, and I will reason before him, if he will.
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].
But you are all bad physicians, and healers of diseases.
5 I wish/desire that you would be silent; that would be the wisest thing that you [could do].
But would that you were silent, and it would be wisdom to you in the end.
6 Listen to what I will say to you now; listen while I am saying [what is true about myself].
But hear you the reasoning of my mouth, and attend to the judgment of my lips.
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 not speak before the Lord, and utter deceit before him?
8 Are you trying to defend him? Are you trying to prove [as you would] in a court that he is innocent?
Or will you draw back? nay do, you yourselves be judges.
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?
For [it were] well if he would thoroughly search you: for though doing all things [in your power] you should attach yourselves to him,
10 If you secretly say/do things to cause God to act favorably toward you, he will surely rebuke you.
he will not reprove you at all the less: but if moreover you should secretly respect persons,
11 He will certainly [RHQ] cause you to be terrified by his power/greatness; you will become extremely afraid.
shall not his whirlpool sweep you round, and terror from him fall upon you?
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].
And your glorying shall prove in the end to you like ashes, and your body [like a body] of clay.
13 “So, be quiet and allow me to speak, and then it will not matter what happens to me.
Be silent, that I may speak, and cease from [mine] anger,
14 I am ready to endure anything; I am [even] willing to risk being executed [IDM, DOU] [for what I will say].
while I may take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand.
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].
Though the Mighty One should lay hand upon me, forasmuch as he has begun, verily I will speak, and plead 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.”
And this shall turn to me for salvation; for fraud shall have no entrance before him.
17 “God, listen very carefully to what I say [DOU].
Hear, hear you my words, for I will declare in your hearing.
18 I am ready to prove that I am innocent, and I know that you also will declare that I am not guilty.
Behold, I am near my judgment: I know that I shall appear evidently just.
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.
For who is he that shall plead with me, that I should now be silent, and expire?
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].
But grant me two things: then I will not hide myself from your face.
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.
Withhold [your] hand from me: and let not your fear terrify me.
22 You speak [first], and then I will reply; or allow me to speak first, and [then] you reply.
Then shall you call, and I will listen to you: or you shall speak, and I will give you an answer.
23 What have I done that is wrong? What sins have I committed? Show me how I have disobeyed you.
How many are my sins and my transgressions? teach me what they are.
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?
Therefore hide you yourself from me, and deem me 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]?
Will you be startled [at me], as [at] a leaf shaken by the wind? or will you set yourself against me as against grass borne upon the breeze?
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 have written evil things against me, and you have compassed me with 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].
And you have placed my foot in the stocks; and you have watched all my works, and have penetrated my heels.
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 am as] that which waxes old like a bottle, or like a moth-eaten garment.
