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13 1-2 Everything you say, I have heard before.
    I understand it all; I know as much as you do.
    I'm not your inferior.
But my dispute is with God, not you;
    I want to argue my case with him.
You cover up your ignorance with lies;
    you are like doctors who can't heal anyone.
Say nothing, and someone may think you are wise!

Listen while I state my case.
    Why are you lying?
    Do you think your lies will benefit God?
Are you trying to defend him?
    Are you going to argue his case in court?
If God looks at you closely, will he find anything good?
    Do you think you can fool God the way you fool others?
10 Even though your prejudice is hidden,
    he will reprimand you,
11     and his power will fill you with terror.
12 Your proverbs are as useless as ashes;
    your arguments are as weak as clay.
13 Be quiet and give me a chance to speak,
    and let the results be what they will.

14 I am[a] ready to risk my life.
15 I've lost all hope, so what if God kills me?
    I am going to state my case to him.
16 It may even be that my boldness will save me,
    since no wicked person would dare to face God.
17 Now listen to my words of explanation.
18 I am ready to state my case,
    because I know I am in the right.

19 Are you coming to accuse me, God?
    If you do, I am ready to be silent and die.
20 Let me ask for two things; agree to them,
    and I will not try to hide from you:
21     stop punishing me, and don't crush me with terror.

22 Speak first, O God, and I will answer.
    Or let me speak, and you answer me.
23 What are my sins? What wrongs have I done?
    What crimes am I charged with?

24 Why do you avoid me?
    Why do you treat me like an enemy?
25 Are you trying to frighten me? I'm nothing but a leaf;
    you are attacking a piece of dry straw.

26 You bring bitter charges against me,
    even for what I did when I was young.
27 (A)You bind chains on my feet;
    you watch every step I take,
    and even examine my footprints.
28 As a result, I crumble like rotten wood,
    like a moth-eaten coat.

Footnotes

  1. Job 13:14 One ancient translation I am; Hebrew Why am I.

13 “My eyes have seen all this,(A)
    my ears have heard and understood it.
What you know, I also know;
    I am not inferior to you.(B)
But I desire to speak to the Almighty(C)
    and to argue my case with God.(D)
You, however, smear me with lies;(E)
    you are worthless physicians,(F) all of you!(G)
If only you would be altogether silent!(H)
    For you, that would be wisdom.(I)
Hear now my argument;
    listen to the pleas of my lips.(J)
Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf?
    Will you speak deceitfully for him?(K)
Will you show him partiality?(L)
    Will you argue the case for God?
Would it turn out well if he examined you?(M)
    Could you deceive him as you might deceive a mortal?(N)
10 He would surely call you to account
    if you secretly showed partiality.(O)
11 Would not his splendor(P) terrify you?
    Would not the dread of him fall on you?(Q)
12 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes;
    your defenses are defenses of clay.(R)

13 “Keep silent(S) and let me speak;(T)
    then let come to me what may.(U)
14 Why do I put myself in jeopardy
    and take my life in my hands?(V)
15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope(W) in him;(X)
    I will surely[a] defend my ways to his face.(Y)
16 Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance,(Z)
    for no godless(AA) person would dare come before him!(AB)
17 Listen carefully to what I say;(AC)
    let my words ring in your ears.
18 Now that I have prepared my case,(AD)
    I know I will be vindicated.(AE)
19 Can anyone bring charges against me?(AF)
    If so, I will be silent(AG) and die.(AH)

20 “Only grant me these two things, God,
    and then I will not hide from you:
21 Withdraw your hand(AI) far from me,
    and stop frightening me with your terrors.(AJ)
22 Then summon me and I will answer,(AK)
    or let me speak, and you reply to me.(AL)
23 How many wrongs and sins have I committed?(AM)
    Show me my offense and my sin.(AN)
24 Why do you hide your face(AO)
    and consider me your enemy?(AP)
25 Will you torment(AQ) a windblown leaf?(AR)
    Will you chase(AS) after dry chaff?(AT)
26 For you write down bitter things against me
    and make me reap the sins of my youth.(AU)
27 You fasten my feet in shackles;(AV)
    you keep close watch on all my paths(AW)
    by putting marks on the soles of my feet.

28 “So man wastes away like something rotten,
    like a garment(AX) eaten by moths.(AY)

Footnotes

  1. Job 13:15 Or He will surely slay me; I have no hope — / yet I will