Hiob 13 | New International Reader’s Version

1 ‘My eyes have seen everything God has done. My ears have heard it and understood it. 2 What you know, I also know. I’m as clever as you are. 3 In fact, I long to speak to the Mighty One. I want to argue my case with God. 4 But you spread lies about me and take away my good name. If you are trying to heal me, you aren’t very good doctors! 5 I wish you would keep your mouths shut! Then people would think you were wise. 6 Listen to my case. Listen as I make my appeal. 7 Will you say evil things in order to help God? Will you tell lies for him? 8 Do you want to be on God’s side? Will you argue his case for him? 9 Would it turn out well if he looked you over carefully? Could you fool him as you might fool human beings? 10 He would certainly hold you responsible if you took his side in secret. 11 Wouldn’t his glory terrify you? Wouldn’t the fear of him fall on you? 12 Your sayings are as useless as ashes. The answers you give are as weak as clay. 13 ‘So be quiet and let me speak. Then I won’t care what happens to me. 14 Why do I put myself in danger? Why do I take my life in my hands? 15 Even if God kills me, I’ll still put my hope in him. I’ll argue my case in front of him. 16 No matter how things turn out, I’m sure I’ll still be saved. After all, no ungodly person would dare to come into his court. 17 Listen carefully to what I’m saying. Pay close attention to my words. 18 I’ve prepared my case. And I know I’ll be proved right. 19 Can others bring charges against me? If they can, I’ll keep quiet and die. 20 ‘God, I won’t hide from you. Here are the only two things I want. 21 Stop treating me this way. And stop making me so afraid. 22 Then send for me, and I’ll answer. Or let me speak, and you reply. 23 How many things have I done wrong? How many sins have I committed? Show me my crime. Show me my sin. 24 Why do you turn your face away from me? Why do you think of me as your enemy? 25 I’m already like a leaf that is blown by the wind. Are you going to terrify me even more? I’m already like dry straw. Are you going to keep on chasing me? 26 You write down bitter things against me. You make me suffer for the sins I committed when I was young. 27 You put my feet in chains. You watch every step I take. You do it by putting marks on the bottom of my feet. 28 ‘People waste away like something that is rotten. They are like clothes that are eaten by moths.

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. 2 What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you. 3 But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God. 4 As for you, you whitewash with lies; worthless physicians are you all. 5 Oh that you would keep silent, and it would be your wisdom! 6 Hear now my argument and listen to the pleadings of my lips. 7 Will you speak falsely for God and speak deceitfully for him? 8 Will you show partiality toward him? Will you plead the case for God? 9 Will it be well with you when he searches you out? Or can you deceive him, as one deceives a man? 10 He will surely rebuke you if in secret you show partiality. 11 Will not his majesty terrify you, and the dread of him fall upon you? 12 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay. 13 “Let me have silence, and I will speak, and let come on me what may. 14 Why should I take my flesh in my teeth and put my life in my hand? 15 Though he slay me, I will hope in him;* yet I will argue my ways to his face. 16 This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him. 17 Keep listening to my words, and let my declaration be in your ears. 18 Behold, I have prepared my case; I know that I shall be in the right. 19 Who is there who will contend with me? For then I would be silent and die. 20 Only grant me two things, then I will not hide myself from your face: 21 withdraw your hand far from me, and let not dread of you terrify me. 22 Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and you reply to me. 23 How many are my iniquities and my sins? Make me know my transgression and my sin. 24 Why do you hide your face and count me as your enemy? 25 Will you frighten a driven leaf and pursue dry chaff? 26 For you write bitter things against me and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth. 27 You put my feet in the stocks and watch all my paths; you set a limit for* the soles of my feet. 28 Man* wastes away like a rotten thing, like a garment that is moth-eaten.

Hiob 13 | New International Reader’s Version English Standard Version

Job Continues: Still I Will Hope in God