Job 13

1 Behold, mine eye has seen these things, and mine ear has heard [them].

“Indeed, my eyes have seen all this; my ears have heard and understood.

2 And I know all that you too know; and I have not less understanding than you.

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

3 Nevertheless I will speak to the Lord, and I will reason before him, if he will.

Yet I desire to speak to the Almighty and argue my case before God.

4 But you are all bad physicians, and healers of diseases.

You, however, smear with lies; you are all worthless physicians.

5 But would that you were silent, and it would be wisdom to you in the end.

If only you would remain silent; for that would be your wisdom!

6 But hear you the reasoning of my mouth, and attend to the judgement of my lips.

Hear now my argument, and listen to the plea of my lips.

7 Do you not speak before the Lord, and utter deceit before him?

Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf or speak deceitfully for Him?

8 Or will you draw back? nay do, you yourselves be judges.

Would you show Him partiality or argue in His defense?

9 For [it were] well if he would thoroughly search you: for though doing all things [in your power] you should attach yourselves to him,

Would it be well when He examined you? Could you deceive Him like a man?

10 he will not reprove you at all the less: but if moreover you should secretly respect persons,

Surely He would rebuke you if you secretly showed partiality.

11 shall not his whirlpool sweep you round, and terror from him fall upon you?

Would His majesty not terrify you? Would the dread of Him not fall upon you?

12 And your glorying shall prove in the end to you like ashes, and your body [like a body] of clay.

Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.

13 Be silent, that I may speak, and cease from [mine] anger,

Be silent, and I will speak. Then let come to me what may.

14 while I may take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand.

Why do I put myself at risk and take my life in my own hands?

15 Though the Mighty One should lay hand upon me, forasmuch as he has begun, verily I will speak, and plead before him.

Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. I will still defend my ways to His face.

16 And this shall turn to me for salvation; for fraud shall have no entrance before him.

Moreover, this will be my salvation, for no godless man can appear before Him.

17 Hear, hear you my words, for I will declare in your hearing.

Listen carefully to my words; let my declaration ring in your ears.

18 Behold, I am near my judgement: I know that I shall appear evidently just.

Behold, now that I have prepared my case, I know that I will be vindicated.

19 For who is he that shall plead with me, that I should now be silent, and expire?

Can anyone indict me? If so, I will be silent and die.

20 But grant me two things: then I will not hide myself from your face.

Only grant these two things to me, so that I need not hide from You:

21 Withhold [your] hand from me: and let not your fear terrify me.

Withdraw Your hand from me, and do not let Your terror frighten me.

22 Then shall you call, and I will listen to you: or you shall speak, and I will give you an answer.

Then call me, and I will answer, or let me speak, and You can reply.

23 How many are my sins and my transgressions? teach me what they are.

How many are my iniquities and sins? Reveal to me my transgression and sin.

24 Therefore hide you yourself from me, and deem me your enemy?

Why do You hide Your face and consider me as Your enemy?

25 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?

Would You frighten a windblown leaf? Would You chase after dry chaff?

26 for you have written evil things against me, and you have compassed me with the sins of my youth.

For You record bitter accusations against me and bequeath to me the iniquities of my youth.

27 And you have placed my foot in the stocks; and you have watched all my works, and have penetrated my heels.

You put my feet in the stocks and stand watch over all my paths; You set a limit for the soles of my feet.

28 [I am as] that which waxes old like a bottle, or like a moth-eaten garment.

So man wastes away like something rotten, like a moth-eaten garment.