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.
Job 13
New Catholic Bible
Chapter 13
Be Silent—I Want To Question God[a]
1 “All this I have observed with my own eyes;
my ears have heard and understood it.
2 What you know, I also know;
I am not inferior to you in any way.
3 But I only wish to speak with the Almighty
and to argue my case with God.
4 As for you, you are obscuring the truth with lies,
and the solutions you offer are all worthless.
5 “Oh, if only you would be completely silent!
For you, that would be regarded as wisdom.
6 Hear now my reasoning
and listen to the plea that issues from my lips.
7 Is it on God’s behalf that you utter lies?
Is it in his defense that you speak deceitfully?
8 Will you show partiality for him
as you plead his case?
9 “Will you feel totally comfortable when he examines you?
Will you be able to deceive him as you deceive men?
10 If you show partiality, even though not flagrant,
he will surely rebuke you.
11 Will not his majesty frighten you
and the fear of him overcome you?
12 The ideas you propose are proverbs of ash;
your arguments are defenses of clay.
13 “Be silent so that I may speak on my own behalf.
Then let what may come upon me.
14 I am taking my life in my own hands
and placing myself in jeopardy.
15 Perhaps he may slay me, but I have no other hope
than to defend my conduct before him.
16 This will prove to be my salvation,
for the godless will not dare to come before him.
I Am Certain That I Will Be Vindicated[b]
17 “Therefore, listen carefully to my words
and give my defense a careful hearing.
18 I have prepared my case carefully,
and I am certain that I will be vindicated.
19 If anyone can make a valid case against me,
then I will be silent and die.
20 “Only grant me two things, O God,
and then I will not hide myself from your face:
21 just withdraw your hand far from me,
and stop frightening me with your terrors.
22 Then summon me, and I will answer,
or let me speak first, and then you can reply.
23 “Of how many crimes and sins am I guilty?
Make known to me my faults and my transgressions.
24 Why do you hide your face[c]
and look upon me as your enemy?
25 Will you harass a wind-blown leaf
and chase after dry chaff?
26 “For you have drawn up bitter charges against me
and caused me to suffer for the iniquities of my youth,
27 putting my feet in the stocks
and keeping a close watch on every step I take
as you trace all my footprints.
28 Thus, I waste away like rotting wood
or like a moth-eaten garment.
Footnotes
- Job 13:1 Job believes that his friends are charlatans, incapable of finding a remedy for his sufferings. Job will do battle alone with God.
- Job 13:17 Before beginning his legal case against God, Job asks for a decrease in his distress and more freedom for his defense.
- Job 13:24 Hide your face: a Semitic expression signifying that God is irritated (Ps 27:9) or indifferent (Pss 30:8; 104:28f), with consequent misfortune for human beings.
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible
