Job 13:13–22

13 “Keep silent and let me speak;

then let come to me what may.

14 Why do I put myself in jeopardy

and take my life in my hands?

15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him;

I will surely defend my ways to his face.

16 Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance,

for no godless person would dare come before him!

17 Listen carefully to what I say;

let my words ring in your ears.

18 Now that I have prepared my case,

I know I will be vindicated.

19 Can anyone bring charges against me?

If so, I will be silent and die.

20 “Only grant me these two things, God,

and then I will not hide from you:

21 Withdraw your hand far from me,

and stop frightening me with your terrors.

22 Then summon me and I will answer,

or let me speak, and you reply to me.

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

And let come on me what will.

14 Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth,

And put my life in mine hand?

15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him:

But I will maintain mine own ways before him.

16 He also shall be my salvation:

For an hypocrite shall not come before him.

17 Hear diligently my speech,

And my declaration with your ears.

18 Behold now, I have ordered my cause;

I know that I shall be justified.

19 Who is he that will plead with me?

For now, if I hold my tongue, I shall give up the ghost.

20 Only do not two things unto me:

Then will I not hide myself from thee.

21 Withdraw thine hand far from me:

And let not thy dread make me afraid.

22 Then call thou, and I will answer:

Or let me speak, and answer thou me.

13 “Be silent now and leave me alone.

Let me speak, and I will face the consequences.

14 Why should I put myself in mortal danger

and take my life in my own hands?

15 God might kill me, but I have no other hope.

I am going to argue my case with him.

16 But this is what will save me—I am not godless.

If I were, I could not stand before him.

17 “Listen closely to what I am about to say.

Hear me out.

18 I have prepared my case;

I will be proved innocent.

19 Who can argue with me over this?

And if you prove me wrong, I will remain silent and die.

20 “O God, grant me these two things,

and then I will be able to face you.

21 Remove your heavy hand from me,

and don’t terrify me with your awesome presence.

22 Now summon me, and I will answer!

Or let me speak to you, and you reply.

13 “Hold your peace with me, and let me speak,

Then let come on me what may!

14 Why do I take my flesh in my teeth,

And put my life in my hands?

15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.

Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.

16 He also shall 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 shall be vindicated.

19 Who is he who will contend with me?

If now I hold my tongue, I perish.

20 “Only two things do not do to me,

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, then You respond to me.

13 “Be quiet and let me speak.

Let things happen to me as they will.

14 Why should I put myself in danger

and take my life in my own hands?

15 Even if God kills me, I have hope in him;

I will still defend my ways to his face.

16 This is my salvation.

The wicked cannot come before him.

17 Listen carefully to my words;

let your ears hear what I say.

18 See, I have prepared my case,

and I know I will be proved right.

19 No one can accuse me of doing wrong.

If someone can, I will be quiet and die.

20 “God, please just give me these two things,

and then I will not hide from you:

21 Take your punishment away from me,

and stop frightening me with your terrors.

22 Then call me, and I will answer,

or let me speak, and you answer.

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

And let come on me what will.

14 Wherefore should I take my flesh in my teeth,

And put my life in my hand?

15 Behold, he will slay me; I have no hope:

Nevertheless I will maintain my ways before him.

16 This also shall be my salvation,

That a godless man shall not come before him.

17 Hear diligently my speech,

And let my declaration be in your ears.

18 Behold now, I have set my cause in order;

I know that I am righteous.

19 Who is he that will contend with me?

For then would I hold my peace and give up the ghost.

20 Only do not two things unto me;

Then will I not hide myself from thy face:

21 Withdraw thy hand far from me;

And let not thy terror make me afraid.

22 Then call thou, and I will answer;

Or let me speak, and answer thou me.

13 Hold your peace from me, and I will speak, and let come on me what will! 14 Wherefore should I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand? 15 Behold, if he slay me, yet would I trust in him; but I will defend mine own ways before him. 16 This also shall be my salvation, that a profane man shall not come before his face. 17 Hear attentively my speech and my declaration with your ears. 18 Behold now, I have ordered the cause; I know that I shall be justified. 19 Who is he that contendeth with me? For if I were silent now, I should expire. 20 Only do not two things unto me; then will I not hide myself from thee. 21 Withdraw thy hand far from me; and let not thy terror make me afraid: 22 Then call, and I will answer; or I will speak, and answer thou me.

13 Be quiet, because I want to speak. 

Let whatever may happen to me ⸤happen⸥! 

14 I am biting off more than I can chew 

and taking my life in my own hands. 

15 If God would kill me, I would have no hope ⸤left⸥.

Nevertheless, I will defend my behavior to his face. 

16 This also will be my salvation 

because no godless person could face him. 

17 “Listen carefully to my words. 

Hear my declaration. 

18 I have prepared my case. 

I know that I will be declared righteous. 

19 Who can make a case against me? 

If someone could, I’d be silent and die. 

20 “Please don’t do two things to me 

so that I won’t have to hide from you: 

21 Stop oppressing me. 

Don’t let your terror frighten me. 

22 Then call, and I’ll answer. 

Otherwise, I’ll speak, and you’ll answer me. 

13 Be quiet, and I will speak.

Let whatever comes happen to me.

14 Why do I put myself at risk

and take my life in my own hands?

15 Even if He kills me, I will hope in Him.

I will still defend my ways before Him.

16 Yes, this will result in my deliverance,

for no godless person can appear before Him.

17 Pay close attention to my words;

let my declaration ring in your ears.

18 Now then, I have prepared my case;

I know that I am right.

19 Can anyone indict me?

If so, I will be silent and die.

20 Only grant these two things to me, God,

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

21 remove Your hand from me,

and do not let Your terror frighten me.

22 Then call, and I will answer,

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

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

and let come on me what may.

14 I will take my flesh in my teeth

and put my life in my hand.

15 See, he will kill me; I have no hope;

but I will defend my ways to his face.

16 This will be my salvation,

that the godless shall not come before him.

17 Listen carefully to my words,

and let my declaration be in your ears.

18 I have indeed prepared my case;

I know that I shall be vindicated.

19 Who is there who will contend with me?

For then I would be silent and die.

20 “Only grant two things to me;

then I will not hide myself from your face:

21 withdraw your hand far from me,

and do not let dread of you terrify me.

22 Then call, and I will answer;

or let me speak, and you reply to me.

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

and let come over me whatever may.

14 Why should I take my flesh in my teeth

and put my life in my hand?

15 Look, though he kill me, I will hope in him;

however, I will defend my ways before him.

16 Moreover, this is salvation to me,

that the godless would not come before him.

17 “Listen carefully to my words,

and let my exposition be in your ears.

18 Please look, I have prepared my case;

I know that I myself will be vindicated.

19 Who is he who will contend with me?

For then I would be silent, and I would pass away.

20 “Only you must not do these two things to me;

then I will not hide from your face:

21 withdraw your hand from me,

and let not your dread terrify me.

22 Then call, and I myself will answer;

or let me speak, then reply to me.

13 “So be quiet and let me speak.

Then I won’t care what happens to me.

14 Why do I put myself in danger?

Why do I take my life in my hands?

15 Even if God kills me, I’ll still put my hope in him.

I’ll argue my case in front of him.

16 No matter how things turn out,

I’m sure I’ll still be saved.

After all, no ungodly person

would dare to come into his court.

17 Listen carefully to what I’m saying.

Pay close attention to my words.

18 I’ve prepared my case.

And I know I’ll be proved right.

19 Can others bring charges against me?

If they can, I’ll keep quiet and die.

20 “God, I won’t hide from you.

Here are the only two things I want.

21 Keep your powerful hand far away from me.

And stop making me so afraid.

22 Then send for me, and I’ll answer.

Or let me speak, and you reply.

13 “Be silent before me so that I may speak;

Then let come on me what may.

14 “Why should I take my flesh in my teeth

And put my life in my hands?

15 “Though He slay me,

I will hope in Him.

Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him.

16 “This also will be my salvation,

For a godless man may not come before His presence.

17 “Listen carefully to my speech,

And let my declaration fill your ears.

18 “Behold now, I have prepared my case;

I know that I will be vindicated.

19 “Who will contend with me?

For then I would be silent and die.

20 “Only two things do not do to me,

Then I will not hide from Your face:

21 Remove Your hand from me,

And let not the dread of You terrify me.

22 “Then call, and I will answer;

Or let me speak, then reply to me.