Job 13:1–28

Look, my eyes have seen all this;

my ears^e have heard and understood it.

²Everything you know, I also know;

I am not inferior to you.^f

³Yet I prefer to speak to the Almighty

and argue my case before God.^g

⁴You use lies like plaster;

you are all worthless healers.^h

⁵If only you would shut up

and let that be your wisdom!

⁶Hear now my argument,

and listen to my defense.^C

⁷Would you testify unjustly on God’s behalf

or speak deceitfully for him?

⁸Would you show partialityⁱ to him

or argue the case in his defense?

⁹Would it go well if he examined you?

Could you deceive him as you would deceive a man?^j

¹⁰Surely he would rebuke you

if you secretly showed partiality.

¹¹Would God’s majesty not terrify you?^k

Would his dread not fall on you?

¹²Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ash;^l

your defenses are made of clay.

¹³Be quiet,^C and I will speak.

Let whatever comes happen to me.

¹⁴I will put^B myself at risk^C

and take my life in my own hands.

¹⁵Even if he kills me, I will hope in him.^D

I will still defend^m my ways before him.

¹⁶Yes, this will result in my deliverance,

for no godless personⁿ can appear before him.

¹⁷Pay close attention to my words;

let my declaration ring in your ears.

¹⁸Now then, I have prepared my case;^o

I know that I am right.

¹⁹Can anyone indict me?

If so, I will be silent and die.

²⁰Only grant these two things to me, God,

so that I will not have to hide from your presence:

²¹remove your hand from me,

and do not let your terror frighten me.^p

²²Then call, and I will answer,^q

or I will speak, and you can respond to me.

²³How many iniquities^r and sins have I committed?^E

Reveal to me my transgression and sin.

²⁴Why do you hide your face

and consider me your enemy?^s

²⁵Will you frighten a wind-driven leaf?

Will you chase after dry straw?

²⁶For you record bitter accusations against me

and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.

²⁷You put my feet in the stocks

and stand watch over all my paths,

setting a limit for the soles^F of my feet.

²⁸A person wears out like something rotten,

like a moth-eaten garment.^t