Job 13:4–13

As for you, you whitewash with lies;

worthless physicians are you all.

Oh that you would keep silent,

and it would be your wisdom!

Hear now my argument

and listen to the pleadings of my lips.

Will you speak falsely for God

and speak deceitfully for him?

Will you show partiality toward him?

Will you plead the case for God?

Will it be well with you when he searches you out?

Or can you deceive him, as one deceives a man?

He will surely rebuke you

if in secret you show partiality.

Will not his majesty terrify you,

and the dread of him fall upon you?

Your maxims are proverbs of ashes;

your defenses are defenses of clay.

“Let me have silence, and I will speak,

and let come on me what may.

You, however, smear me with lies;

you are worthless physicians, all of you!

If only you would be altogether silent!

For you, that would be wisdom.

Hear now my argument;

listen to the pleas of my lips.

Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf?

Will you speak deceitfully for him?

Will you show him partiality?

Will you argue the case for God?

Would it turn out well if he examined you?

Could you deceive him as you might deceive a mortal?

He would surely call you to account

if you secretly showed partiality.

Would not his splendor terrify you?

Would not the dread of him fall on you?

Your maxims are proverbs of ashes;

your defenses are defenses of clay.

“Keep silent and let me speak;

then let come to me what may.

As for you, you smear me with lies.

As physicians, you are worthless quacks.

If only you could be silent!

That’s the wisest thing you could do.

Listen to my charge;

pay attention to my arguments.

“Are you defending God with lies?

Do you make your dishonest arguments for his sake?

Will you slant your testimony in his favor?

Will you argue God’s case for him?

What will happen when he finds out what you are doing?

Can you fool him as easily as you fool people?

No, you will be in trouble with him

if you secretly slant your testimony in his favor.

Doesn’t his majesty terrify you?

Doesn’t your fear of him overwhelm you?

Your platitudes are as valuable as ashes.

Your defense is as fragile as a clay pot.

“Be silent now and leave me alone.

Let me speak, and I will face the consequences.

“But you whitewash with lies;

all of you are worthless healers.

O that you would keep completely silent,

and that it would become wisdom for you.

Please hear my argument,

and listen attentively to the pleadings of my lips.

“Will you speak falsely for God?

And will you speak deceitfully for him?

Will you show partiality for him?

Or do you want to plead God’s case?

Will it be well, if he examines you?

Or can you deceive him like deceiving a human being?

“Surely he will rebuke you

if you show partiality in secret.

Will not his majesty terrify you,

and his dread fall upon you?

Your maxims are proverbs of ashes;

your defenses are defenses of clay.

“Let me have silence, and I myself will speak,

and let come over me whatever may.

But ye are forgers of lies,

Ye are all physicians of no value.

O that ye would altogether hold your peace!

And it should be your wisdom.

Hear now my reasoning,

And hearken to the pleadings of my lips.

Will ye speak wickedly for God?

And talk deceitfully for him?

Will ye accept his person?

Will ye contend for God?

Is it good that he should search you out?

Or as one man mocketh another, do ye so mock him?

He will surely reprove you,

If ye do secretly accept persons.

Shall not his excellency make you afraid?

And his dread fall upon you?

Your remembrances are like unto ashes,

Your bodies to bodies of clay.

Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak,

And let come on me what will.