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 International Version
13 “My eyes have seen all this,(A)
my ears have heard and understood it.
2 What you know, I also know;
I am not inferior to you.(B)
3 But I desire to speak to the Almighty(C)
and to argue my case with God.(D)
4 You, however, smear me with lies;(E)
you are worthless physicians,(F) all of you!(G)
5 If only you would be altogether silent!(H)
For you, that would be wisdom.(I)
6 Hear now my argument;
listen to the pleas of my lips.(J)
7 Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf?
Will you speak deceitfully for him?(K)
8 Will you show him partiality?(L)
Will you argue the case for God?
9 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.
Footnotes
- Job 13:15 Or He will surely slay me; I have no hope — / yet I will
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