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13 “Notice, my eye has seen all this;
    my ear has heard and understood it.
What you know, I also know the same;
    I am not inferior to you.
Surely I would speak to the Almighty,
    and I desire to reason with God.
But you are plasterers of falsehood;
    you are all physicians of no value.
Oh, that you would altogether hold your peace,
    and it would be your wisdom!
Hear now my reasoning,
    and listen to the pleadings of my lips.
Will you speak wickedly for God?
    And talk deceitfully for Him?
Will you take His side?
    Will you plead for God?
Is it good that He would search you out?
    Or as one man mocks another, do you so mock Him?
10 He will surely rebuke you,
    if you secretly show partiality.
11 Will not His excellence make you afraid,
    and the dread of Him fall upon you?
12 Your reminders are parables made of ashes;
    your answers are answers made of clay.

13 “Hold your peace; leave me alone, that I may speak,
    and let come on me what may!
14 Why do I take my flesh in my teeth
    and put my life in my hand?
15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him,[a]
    but I will defend my own ways before Him.
16 He also will be my salvation,
    for a hypocrite could not come before Him.
17 Listen carefully to my speech,
    and to my declaration with your ears.
18 See now, I have prepared my case;
    I know that I will be justified.
19 Who is he who will plead with me?
    For now, if I hold my tongue, I will give up my breath.

20 “Only grant me two things,
    then I will not hide myself from You:
21 Withdraw Your hand far from me,
    and let not the dread of You make me afraid.
22 Then call, and I will answer;
    or let me speak, and You answer me.
23 How many are my iniquities and sins?
    Make known to me my transgression and my sin.
24 Why do You hide Your face
    and regard me as Your enemy?
25 Will You frighten a leaf driven to and fro?
    And will You pursue dry stubble?
26 For You write bitter things against me
    and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.
27 You put my feet in the stocks
    and watch closely all my paths;
    You draw a line around the soles of my feet.

28 “Man, as a rotten thing, decays,
    as a garment that is moth eaten.

Footnotes

  1. Job 13:15 Original Heb. I have no hope.

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