Job 13
Evangelical Heritage Version
13 My eyes have certainly seen all this.
My ears have heard it and understood it.
2 Whatever you know, I know every bit as well.
I do not fall short of you in any way.
3 But I want to speak to the Almighty.
I am eager to argue my case with God.
4 All you do is plaster over problems[a] with lies.
Such useless healers, all of you!
5 I wish you would shut up completely.
For you, that would be wisdom!
6 But now, listen to my rebuttal.
Pay attention to the arguments from my lips.
7 Will you misrepresent God?[b]
Will you speak deceitfully about him?
8 Will you show favoritism on behalf of God
and argue his case for him?
9 Will it turn out well when he cross-examines you?
Can you fool God as you can fool a man?
10 He will certainly rule against you if you hide your favoritism.
11 Won’t God’s majesty frighten you?
Won’t the dread he inspires overwhelm you?
12 Your axioms are proverbs made of ashes.
Your strong points are made of clay.
13 Silence! Let me speak.
I intend to speak up, no matter what happens.
14 Why do I bite my flesh with my teeth?
Why do I take my life in my hands?
15 Even if he slays me, I will wait for him with hope.[c]
No matter what, I will defend my ways to his face.
16 Even this may turn out for my salvation,
for no godless person would dare to face him.
17 Listen carefully to my words!
Give my testimony a hearing.
18 Please, listen. I have laid out my case.
I know that I am innocent.
19 Who can make a case against me?
If anyone can, I will be quiet and die.
20 Just do two things for me, God.
If you do, I will not hide from your face.
21 Take your hands off me,
and do not terrify me with your grandeur.[d]
22 Summon me, and I will answer.
Or, I will speak, and you can respond to me.
23 How much guilt and how many sins do I have?
Reveal my rebellion and my sin to me.
24 Why do you hide your face?
Why do you treat me like your enemy?
25 Will you toss me around[e] like a wind-blown leaf?
Will you chase me away like dry chaff?
26 You write bitter accusations against me,
and you hold me accountable for the guilt of my youth.
27 You lock my feet in stocks
and station guards along all my paths.
You put your brand on the soles of my feet.
28 So a man rots away like a garment eaten by moths.
Job 13
Common English Bible
Self-defense
13 Look, my eye has seen it all;
my ear has heard and understood it.
2 Just as you know, I also know;
I’m not inferior to you.
3 But I want to speak to the Almighty;
I would gladly present my case to God.
Friends attacked
4 You, however, are plasterers of lies;
ineffective healers, all of you.
5 Would that you were completely quiet;
that would be your wisdom.
6 Hear my teaching
and pay attention to the arguments of my lips.
7 Will you speak injustice for God,
speak deceit on his behalf?
8 Will you be partial
or contend for God?
9 Will it go well when he searches you,
or can you fool him as you fool people?
10 He will certainly correct you
if you’ve been secretly partial.
11 Wouldn’t his majesty scare you
and dread of him fall on you?
12 Your old sayings are proverbs made of ashes,
your sayings defenses made of clay.
Job will speak out
13 Be quiet and I will speak,
come what may.
14 For what reason will I take my flesh in my teeth,
put my life in jeopardy?
15 He will slay me; I’m without hope;[a]
I will surely prove my way to his face.
16 Also this will be my vindication,
that a godless person won’t come before him.
17 Listen closely to my words
so that my remarks will be in your ears.
Against God
18 Look, I have laid out my case;
I know that I’m innocent.
19 Who would dare contend with me,
for then I would be quiet and die.
20 Only don’t do two things to me,
then I won’t hide from your face.
21 Remove your hand far from me
and don’t terrify me with your anger.
22 Then call and I’ll answer,
or I’ll speak and you can reply.
23 How many are my offenses and sins?
Inform me about my rebellions and sins.
24 Why hide your face from me
and consider me your enemy?
25 Will you cause a wind-tossed leaf to tremble, or will you pursue dry straw?
26 You even write bitter things about me,
make me inherit my youthful indiscretions.
27 You tie up my feet and restrict all actions;
you stamp marks on the bottom of my feet.
Human destiny
28 Surely a person wastes away like refuse,
like clothing that a moth eats.
Footnotes
- Job 13:15 Or Though he slay me, yet I will trust him.
The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible