Job 13

1 Behold my eye hath seen all these things, and my ear hath heard them, and I have understood them all.

"Look, my eye has seen all this. My ear has heard and understood it.

2 According to your knowledge I also know: neither am I inferior to you.

What you know, I know also. I am not inferior to you.

3 But yet I will speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.

"Surely I would speak to Shaddai. I desire to reason with God.

4 Having first shewn that you are forgers of lies, and maintainers of perverse opinions.

But you are forgers of lies. You are all physicians of no value.

5 And I wish you would hold your peace, that you might be thought to be wise men.

Oh that you would be completely silent. Then you would be wise.

6 Hear ye therefore my reproof, and attend to the judgment of my lips.

Hear now my reasoning. Listen to the pleadings of my lips.

7 Hath God any need of your lie, that you should speak deceitfully for him?

Will you speak unrighteously for God, and talk deceitfully for him?

8 Do you accept his person, and do you endeavour to judge for God?

Will you show partiality to him? Will you contend for God?

9 Or shall it please him, from whom nothing can be concealed? or shall he be deceived as a man, with your deceitful dealings?

Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceives a man, will you deceive him?

10 He shall reprove you, because in secret you accept his person.

He will surely reprove you if you secretly show partiality.

11 As soon as he shall move himself, he shall trouble you: and his dread shall fall upon you.

Shall not his majesty make you afraid, And his dread fall on you?

12 Your remembrance shall be compared to ashes, and your necks shall be brought to clay.

Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defenses are defenses of clay.

13 Hold your peace a little while, that I may speak whatsoever my mind shall suggest to me.

"Be silent, leave me alone, that I may speak. Let come on me what will.

14 Why do I tear my flesh with my teeth, and carry my soul in my hands?

Why should I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand?

15 Although he should bill me, I will trust in him: but yet I will reprove my ways in his sight.

Look, he will kill me. I have no hope. Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him.

16 And he shall be my saviour: for no hypocrite shall come before his presence.

This also shall be my salvation, that a godless man shall not come before him.

17 Hear ye my speech, and receive with Sour ears hidden truths.

Hear diligently my speech. Let my declaration be in your ears.

18 If I shall be judged, I know that I shall be found just.

See now, I have set my cause in order. I know that I am righteous.

19 Who is he that will plead against me? let him come: why am I consumed holding my peace?

Who is he who will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and give up the spirit.

20 Two things only do not to me, and then from thy face I shall not be hid:

"Only do not do two things to me; then I will not hide myself from your face:

21 Withdraw thy hand far from me, and let not thy dread terrify me.

withdraw your hand far from me; and do not let your terror make me afraid.

22 Call me, and I will answer thee: or else I will speak, and do thou answer me.

Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and you answer me.

23 How many are my iniquities and sins? make me know my crimes and offences.

How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me know my disobedience and my sin.

24 Why hidest thou thy face, and thinkest me thy enemy?

Why hide you your face, and hold me for your enemy?

25 Against a leaf, that is carried away with the wind, thou shewest thy power, and thou pursuest a dry straw.

Will you harass a driven leaf? Will you pursue the dry stubble?

26 For thou writest bitter things against me, and wilt consume me for the sins of my youth.

For you write bitter things against me, and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth:

27 Thou hast put my feet in the stocks, and hast observed all my paths, and hast considered the steps of my feet:

You also put my feet in the stocks, and mark all my paths. You set a bound to the soles of my feet,

28 Who am to be consumed as rottenness, and as a garment that is moth-eaten.

though I am decaying like a rotten thing, like a garment that is moth-eaten.