1‘My eyes have seen all this, my ears have heard and understood it.2What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.3But I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God.4You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you!5If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.6Hear now my argument; listen to the pleas of my lips.7Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf? Will you speak deceitfully for him?8Will you show him partiality? Will you argue the case for God?9Would it turn out well if he examined you? Could you deceive him as you might deceive a mortal?10He would surely call you to account if you secretly showed partiality.11Would not his splendour terrify you? Would not the dread of him fall on you?12Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defences are defences of clay.13‘Keep silent and let me speak; then let come to me what may.14Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands?15Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely[1] defend my ways to his face.16Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless person would dare come before him!17Listen carefully to what I say; let my words ring in your ears.18Now that I have prepared my case, I know I will be vindicated.19Can anyone bring charges against me? If so, I will be silent and die.20‘Only grant me these two things, God, and then I will not hide from you:21withdraw your hand far from me, and stop frightening me with your terrors.22Then summon me and I will answer, or let me speak, and you reply to me.23How many wrongs and sins have I committed? Show me my offence and my sin.24Why do you hide your face and consider me your enemy?25Will you torment a wind-blown leaf? Will you chase after dry chaff?26For you write down bitter things against me and make me reap the sins of my youth.27You fasten my feet in shackles; you keep close watch on all my paths by putting marks on the soles of my feet.28‘So man wastes away like something rotten, like a garment eaten by moths.
Job 13
English Standard Version
Job Continues: Still I Will Hope in God
1“Behold, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it.2What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you. (Job 12:3; Job 15:9)3But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God. (Job 13:15; Job 13:18; Job 23:4; Job 31:35)4As for you, you whitewash with lies; worthless physicians are you all. (Job 16:2; Ps 119:69)5Oh that you would keep silent, and it would be your wisdom! (Pr 17:28)6Hear now my argument and listen to the pleadings of my lips.7Will you speak falsely for God and speak deceitfully for him? (Job 27:4)8Will you show partiality toward him? Will you plead the case for God? (Jud 6:31)9Will it be well with you when he searches you out? Or can you deceive him, as one deceives a man? (Pr 28:11; Ga 6:7)10He will surely rebuke you if in secret you show partiality.11Will not his majesty terrify you, and the dread of him fall upon you? (Job 31:23)12Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay. (Isa 44:20)13“Let me have silence, and I will speak, and let come on me what may.14Why should I take my flesh in my teeth and put my life in my hand? (Jud 12:3)15Though he slay me, I will hope in him;[1] yet I will argue my ways to his face. (Job 13:3; Job 14:14; Job 27:5; Pr 14:32)16This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him.17Keep listening to my words, and let my declaration be in your ears. (Job 21:2)18Behold, I have prepared my case; I know that I shall be in the right. (Job 33:5)19Who is there who will contend with me? For then I would be silent and die. (Isa 50:8)20Only grant me two things, then I will not hide myself from your face: (Ge 3:8)21withdraw your hand far from me, and let not dread of you terrify me. (Job 9:34; Job 33:7; Ps 39:10)22Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and you reply to me. (Job 14:15)23How many are my iniquities and my sins? Make me know my transgression and my sin. (Ps 19:12)24Why do you hide your face and count me as your enemy? (De 32:20; Job 19:11; Job 33:10; La 2:5)25Will you frighten a driven leaf and pursue dry chaff? (Le 26:36; Job 21:18; Ps 83:13)26For you write bitter things against me and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth. (Ps 25:7; Ps 149:9)27You put my feet in the stocks and watch all my paths; you set a limit for[2] the soles of my feet. (Job 10:14; Job 33:11)28Man[3] wastes away like a rotten thing, like a garment that is moth-eaten. (Job 4:19; Pr 12:4; Pr 14:30; Hab 3:16)