Job 13

1 “Hey, I [SYN] have seen everything [that you have seen], and I have heard and understood all [that you have said].

Lo, mine eye hath seen all [this], Mine ear hath heard and understood it.

2 What you know, I also know; I do (not know less than/know as much as) you.

What ye know, [the same] do I know also: I am not inferior unto 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]).

Surely I would speak to the Almighty, And I desire to reason with God.

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 ye are forgers of lies; Ye are all physicians of no value.

5 I wish/desire that you would be silent; that would be the wisest thing that you [could do].

Oh that ye would altogether hold your peace! And it would be your wisdom.

6 Listen to what I will say to you now; listen while I am saying [what is true about myself].

Hear now my reasoning, And hearken to the pleadings 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?

Will ye speak unrighteously for God, And talk deceitfully for him?

8 Are you trying to defend him? Are you trying to prove [as you would] in a court that he is innocent?

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

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?

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

10 If you secretly say/do things to cause God to act favorably toward you, he will surely rebuke you.

He will surely reprove you, If ye do secretly show partiality.

11 He will certainly [RHQ] cause you to be terrified by his power/greatness; you will become extremely afraid.

Shall not his majesty make you afraid, And his dread 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].

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

13 “So, be quiet and allow me to speak, and then it will not matter what happens to me.

Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak; And let come on me what will.

14 I am ready to endure anything; I am [even] willing to risk being executed [IDM, DOU] [for what I will say].

Wherefore should I 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].

Behold, he will slay me; I have no hope: Nevertheless I will maintain my ways 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.”

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

17 “God, listen very carefully to what I say [DOU].

Hear diligently my speech, And let my declaration be in your ears.

18 I am ready to prove that I am innocent, and I know that you also will declare that I am not guilty.

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

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.

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

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].

Only do not two things unto me; Then will I not hide myself from thy 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.

Withdraw thy hand far from me; And let not thy terror make me afraid.

22 You speak [first], and then I will reply; or allow me to speak first, and [then] you reply.

Then call thou, and I will answer; Or let me speak, and answer thou me.

23 What have I done that is wrong? What sins have I committed? Show me how I have disobeyed you.

How many are mine iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgression and my sin.

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?

Wherefore hidest thou thy face, And holdest me for thine 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]?

Wilt thou harass a driven leaf? And wilt thou pursue the dry stubble?

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 thou writest bitter things against me, And makest me to inherit the iniquities 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].

Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, And markest all my paths; Thou settest a bound to the soles of my feet:

28 [As a result], my body is decaying like [SIM] rotten wood, like a piece of cloth that is eaten by [larvae of] moths.”

Though I am like a rotten thing that consumeth, Like a garment that is moth-eaten.