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13 “·Now [Look,] my eyes have seen all this;
    my ears have heard and understood it [C Job claims to be as wise as the three friends].
What you know, I also know.
    ·You are not better than I am [L I am not inferior to you; 12:3].
But I want to speak to ·the Almighty [Shaddai]
    and [L I would love] to ·argue my case with [reprove] God.
But you smear me with lies [C good doctors would smear their patients with healing lotions].
    You are worthless ·doctors [physicians], all of you!
I wish you would just ·stop talking [shut up];
    then you would really be wise [Prov. 17:28]!
Listen to my ·argument [reproof],
    and ·hear [L pay attention to] the ·pleading [L accusation] of my lips.
·You should not speak evil in the name of [L Will you speak unjustly for…?] God;
    ·you cannot speak God’s truth by telling lies [L will you speak deceitful things about him?].
·You should not unfairly choose his side against mine [L Will you favor him…?];
    ·you should not argue the case [L if you make an accusation] for God.
·You will not do [Will it go…?] well if he examines you;
    you cannot ·fool [deceive] God as you might ·fool [deceive] humans.
10 God would surely ·scold [reprimand; reprove] you
    if you ·unfairly [or secretly] took one person’s side.
11 [L Does not…?] His ·bright glory [majesty] would scare you,
    and ·you would be very much afraid of him [L his fear fall on you].
12 Your ·wise sayings [L proclamations] are ·worth no more than ashes [L are made of dust],
    and your ·arguments [responses] are ·as weak as [L made of] clay.

13 “Be quiet and let me speak.
    Let things happen to me as they will.
14 ·Why should I [or I will…] ·put myself in danger [L take my flesh in my teeth; C a metaphor for risk-taking]
    and take my life in my own ·hands [L palm]?
15 ·Even if God kills me, I have hope in him [or See, he will kill me; I have no hope];
    I will ·still defend [reprove him concerning] my ways to his face.
16 This is my salvation.
    The wicked cannot come ·before him [into his presence].
17 Listen ·carefully [closely] to my words;
    let your ears hear what I say.
18 See, I have prepared ·my case [for the judgment],
    and I know I ·will be proved right [or am righteous].
19 ·No one can accuse [L Who is it that accuses…?] me of doing wrong.
    If someone can, I will be quiet and die.

20 “God, please just give me these two things,
    and then I will not hide from you:
21 Take your ·punishment [L palm] away from me,
    and stop frightening me with your terrors.
22 Then call me, and I will answer,
    or let me speak, and you answer.
23 ·How many [or What are the] ·evil things [faults] and sins have I done?
    ·Show [Make known to] me my ·wrong [transgressions] and my sin.
24 ·Don’t [L Why do you…?] hide your face from me;
    don’t ·think of me as [consider me] your enemy [Ps. 30:6–7].
25 ·Don’t punish [L Will you frighten…?] a leaf that is blown by the wind;
    ·don’t [L and] chase after straw.
26 You write down ·cruel [bitter] things against me
    and make me ·suffer for [inherit] my boyhood sins.
27 You put my feet in ·chains [stocks]
    and ·keep close watch wherever I go [L guard all my paths].
    You even ·mark [incise; cut] the soles of my feet [C to leave a distinctive footprint easily followed].

28 “Everyone wears out like something rotten,
like clothing eaten by moths.

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