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13 Look, my eyes have seen all this;
my ears(A) have heard and understood it.
Everything you know, I also know;
I am not inferior to you.(B)
Yet I prefer to speak to the Almighty
and argue my case before God.(C)
You use lies like plaster;
you are all worthless healers.(D)
If only you would shut up
and let that be your wisdom!

Hear now my argument,
and listen to my defence.[a]
Would you testify unjustly on God’s behalf
or speak deceitfully for him?
Would you show partiality(E) to him
or argue the case in his defence?
Would it go well if he examined you?
Could you deceive him as you would deceive a man?(F)
10 Surely he would rebuke you
if you secretly showed partiality.
11 Would God’s majesty not terrify you?(G)
Would his dread not fall on you?
12 Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ash;(H)
your defences are made of clay.

13 Be quiet,[b] and I will speak.
Let whatever comes happen to me.
14 I will put[c] myself at risk[d]
and take my life in my own hands.
15 Even if he kills me, I will hope in him.[e]
I will still defend(I) my ways before him.
16 Yes, this will result in my deliverance,
for no godless person(J) can appear before him.
17 Pay close attention to my words;
let my declaration ring in your ears.
18 Now then, I have prepared my case;(K)
I know that I am right.
19 Can anyone indict me?
If so, I will be silent and die.

20 Only grant these two things to me, God,
so that I will not have to hide from your presence:
21 remove your hand from me,
and do not let your terror frighten me.(L)
22 Then call, and I will answer,(M)
or I will speak, and you can respond to me.
23 How many iniquities(N) and sins have I committed?[f]
Reveal to me my transgression and sin.
24 Why do you hide your face
and consider me your enemy?(O)
25 Will you frighten a wind-driven leaf?
Will you chase after dry straw?
26 For you record bitter accusations against me
and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.
27 You put my feet in the stocks
and stand watch over all my paths,
setting a limit for the soles[g] of my feet.

28 A person wears out like something rotten,
like a moth-eaten garment.(P)

Footnotes

  1. 13:6 Lit to the claims of my lips
  2. 13:13 Lit quiet before me
  3. 13:14 LXX; MT reads Why do I put
  4. 13:14 Lit I take my flesh in my teeth
  5. 13:15 Some Hb mss read I will be without hope
  6. 13:23 Lit sins are to me
  7. 13:27 Lit paths. You mark a line around the roots

13 Job: Look. I’ve seen it all with my eyes,
        heard and understood it with my ears.
    What you know, I know, too;
        don’t think I am so far beneath you!

    Let our differences be clear; I am ready to speak to the Highest One,[a]
        eagerly wanting to argue my case with God.
    But you! You smear me with lies as if to help,
        but as healers you are worthless.
    Would that you were totally silent.
        At least that would make you seem wise.
    Please, just listen while I reason this out;
        lean in to hear how my lips will plead.
    Will you try to defend God’s cause by telling lies?
        Be deceitful on His behalf?
    Will you show partiality for Him?
        Argue on His behalf?
    How would you fare
        if He searched your soul?
    Do you think you might deceive Him
        as you would any other person?
10     No. He would bring charges against you
        even if you secretly show partiality.
11     Aren’t you horrified at the weight of His majesty?
        Isn’t the dread of Him enough to drop you where you stand?
12     All your quoted proverbs turn to ash;
        your clever comebacks crumble like brittle towers of clay.

Job will take his chances before God. He still trusts Him, even if God chooses to take his life.

13     So keep your mouths shut around me, and let me speak to God.
        And whatever may come, let it come.
14     Why should I lay my body at the mercy of the words of my own mouth
        or risk my life with only my own hands to defend me?
15     Look, He may well kill me,
        but I will hope in Him.
        Still I will be ready to argue my case before His very face.
16     In fact, this will become my salvation,
        for the godless wouldn’t even dare to approach Him.
17     So then here is my account. Listen carefully!
        Give me a chance to share my side of the story with you.
18     My case is prepared, and I am confident
        I will be found righteous.
19     And yet who will meet me in court to argue the other side?
        If I am out-argued, then I will stay mute until I die.

20     Lord, I ask only two concessions in this case;
        if You grant them, I will not hide from Your face.
21     First, remove Your damaging hand from me;
        second don’t intimidate me anymore with your terrifying presence.
22     Then send me Your summons, and I will reply,
        or better yet, I will speak first and then You answer me.
23     How many counts do You have against me?
        How many sins must I account for?
        Spell out the nature of Your indictment against my rebellious ways.
24     Why do You hide Your face from me;
        why is my name now “nemesis”[b] to You?
25     Would You waste Your energy to terrify a windblown leaf,
        or chase down the dry chaff as it tumbles in the breeze?
26     For I see bitter accusations against me written in Your own hand;
        You call me to account for the guilt of my youth.
27     You fasten shackles at my ankles but still keep close watch on where I walk,
        marking the places where my feet may plant themselves.
28     This is how a person wastes away to nothing,
        like something rotten, like moth-eaten clothing.

Footnotes

  1. 13:3 Hebrew, Shaddai
  2. 13:24 A wordplay in Hebrew between “Job” and “enemy,” so “name” and “nemesis” in English.

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