Home Master Index
←Prev   Job 13 as rendered by/in  Next→ 


13:1  [Job continued:] Behold, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it.
13:2  What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.
13:3  Surely I wish to speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue and reason my case with God [that He may explain the conflict between what I believe of Him and what I see of Him].
13:4  But you are forgers of lies [you defame my character most untruthfully]; you are all physicians of no value and have no remedy to offer.
13:5  Oh, that you would altogether hold your peace! Then you would evidence your wisdom and you might pass for wise men.
13:6  Hear now my reasoning, and listen to the pleadings of my lips.
13:7  Will you speak unrighteously for God and talk deceitfully for Him?
13:8  Will you show partiality to Him [be unjust to me in order to gain favor with Him]? Will you act as special pleaders for God?
13:9  Would it be profitable for you if He should investigate your tactics [with me]? Or as one deceives and mocks a man, do you deceive and mock Him?
13:10  He will surely reprove you if you do secretly show partiality.
13:11  Shall not His majesty make you afraid, and should not your awe for Him restrain you?
13:12  Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes [valueless]; your defenses are defenses of clay [and will crumble].
13:13  Hold your peace! Let me alone, so I may speak; and let come on me what may.
13:14  Why should I take my flesh in my teeth and put my life in my hands [incurring the danger of God’s wrath]?
13:15  [I do it because, though He slay me, yet will I wait for and trust Him and] behold, He will slay me; I have no hope—nevertheless, I will maintain and argue my ways before Him and even to His face.
13:16  This will be my salvation, that a polluted and godless man shall not come before Him.
13:17  Listen diligently to my speech, and let my declaration be in your ears.
13:18  Behold now, I have prepared my case; I know that I shall be justified and vindicated.
13:19  Who is he who will argue against and refute me? For then I would hold my peace and expire.
13:20  Only [O Lord] grant two conditions to me, and then will I not hide myself from You:
13:21  Withdraw Your hand and take this bodily suffering far from me; and let not my [reverent] dread of You terrify me.
13:22  Then [Lord] call and I will answer, or let me speak, and You answer me.
13:23  How many are my iniquities and sins [that so much sorrow should come to me]? Make me recognize and know my transgression and my sin.
13:24  Why do You hide Your face [as if offended] and alienate me as if I were Your enemy?
13:25  Will You harass and frighten a [poor, helpless] leaf driven to and fro, and will You pursue the chaff of the dry stubble?
13:26  For You write bitter things against me [in Your bill of indictment] and make me inherit and be accountable now for the iniquities of my youth.
13:27  You put my feet also in the stocks and observe critically all my paths; You set a circle and limit around the soles of my feet [which I must not overstep].
13:28  And he wastes away as a rotten thing, like a garment that is moth-eaten.