Job 13
New Living Translation
Job Wants to Argue His Case with God
13 “Look, I have seen all this with my own eyes
and heard it with my own ears, and now I understand.
2 I know as much as you do.
You are no better than I am.
3 As for me, I would speak directly to the Almighty.
I want to argue my case with God himself.
4 As for you, you smear me with lies.
As physicians, you are worthless quacks.
5 If only you could be silent!
That’s the wisest thing you could do.
6 Listen to my charge;
pay attention to my arguments.
7 “Are you defending God with lies?
Do you make your dishonest arguments for his sake?
8 Will you slant your testimony in his favor?
Will you argue God’s case for him?
9 What will happen when he finds out what you are doing?
Can you fool him as easily as you fool people?
10 No, you will be in trouble with him
if you secretly slant your testimony in his favor.
11 Doesn’t his majesty terrify you?
Doesn’t your fear of him overwhelm you?
12 Your platitudes are as valuable as ashes.
Your defense is as fragile as a clay pot.
13 “Be silent now and leave me alone.
Let me speak, and I will face the consequences.
14 Why should I put myself in mortal danger[a]
and take my life in my own hands?
15 God might kill me, but I have no other hope.[b]
I am going to argue my case with him.
16 But this is what will save me—I am not godless.
If I were, I could not stand before him.
17 “Listen closely to what I am about to say.
Hear me out.
18 I have prepared my case;
I will be proved innocent.
19 Who can argue with me over this?
And if you prove me wrong, I will remain silent and die.
Job Asks How He Has Sinned
20 “O God, grant me these two things,
and then I will be able to face you.
21 Remove your heavy hand from me,
and don’t terrify me with your awesome presence.
22 Now summon me, and I will answer!
Or let me speak to you, and you reply.
23 Tell me, what have I done wrong?
Show me my rebellion and my sin.
24 Why do you turn away from me?
Why do you treat me as your enemy?
25 Would you terrify a leaf blown by the wind?
Would you chase dry straw?
26 “You write bitter accusations against me
and bring up all the sins of my youth.
27 You put my feet in stocks.
You examine all my paths.
You trace all my footprints.
28 I waste away like rotting wood,
like a moth-eaten coat.
Job 13
Legacy Standard Bible
I Will Be Declared Righteous
13 “(A)Behold, my eye has seen all this;
My ear has heard and understood it.
2 (B)What you know I also know;
I have not fallen short of you.
3 “But (C)I would speak to [a]the Almighty,
And I desire to (D)argue with God.
4 But you (E)cover me with lies;
You are all (F)worthless physicians.
5 O that you would (G)be completely silent,
And that it would become your wisdom!
6 Please hear my argument
And give heed to the contentions of my lips.
7 Will you (H)speak what is unrighteous for God,
And speak what is deceitful for Him?
8 Will you (I)show partiality for Him?
Will you contend for God?
9 Will it be well when He examines you?
Or (J)will you deceive Him as one deceives a man?
10 He will surely reprove you
If you secretly (K)show partiality.
11 Will not (L)His exaltedness terrify you,
And the dread of Him fall on you?
12 Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes;
Your defenses are defenses of clay.
13 “(M)Be silent before me so that I may speak;
Then let come on me what may.
14 Why should I take my flesh in my teeth
And (N)put my life in my [b]hands?
15 [c](O)Though He slay me,
I will hope in Him.
Nevertheless I (P)will argue my ways [d]before Him.
16 This also will be my (Q)salvation,
For (R)a godless man may not come before His presence.
17 [e]Listen carefully to my words,
And let my declaration fill your ears.
18 Behold now, I have (S)arranged my case for justice;
I know that (T)I will be declared righteous.
19 (U)Who will contend with me?
For now I am silent and (V)will breathe my last.
20 “Only two things do not do to me,
Then I will not hide from Your face:
21 (W)Move Your [f]hand far from me,
And let not the dread of You terrify me.
22 Then call, and (X)I will answer;
Or let me speak, then respond to me.
23 (Y)How many are my iniquities and sins?
Make known to me my transgression and my sin.
24 Why do You (Z)hide Your face
And think of me as (AA)Your enemy?
25 Will You cause a (AB)driven leaf to tremble?
Or will You pursue the dry (AC)chaff?
26 For You write (AD)bitter things against me
And (AE)make me to possess the iniquities of my youth.
27 You (AF)put my feet in the stocks
And kept watch over all my paths;
You [g]set a limit for the soles of my feet,
28 While [h]I am decaying like a (AG)rotten thing,
Like a garment that is moth-eaten.
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