Job 13:1–28

13Everything you say, I have heard before.

I understand it all; I know as much as you do.

I’m not your inferior.

³But my dispute is with God, not you;

I want to argue my case with him.

⁴You cover up your ignorance with lies;

you are like doctors who can’t heal anyone.

⁵Say nothing, and someone may think you are wise!

⁶Listen while I state my case.

⁷Why are you lying? Do you think your lies will benefit God?

⁸Are you trying to defend him?

Are you going to argue his case in court?

⁹If God looks at you closely, will he find anything good?

Do you think you can fool God as you fool others?

¹⁰Even though your prejudice is hidden,

he will reprimand you,

¹¹and his power will fill you with terror.

¹²Your proverbs are as useless as ashes;

your arguments crumble like clay.

¹³Be quiet and give me a chance to speak,

and let the results be what they will.

¹⁴I am^z ready to risk my life.

¹⁵I’ve lost all hope, so what if God kills me?

I am going to state my case to him.

¹⁶It may even be that my boldness will save me,

since no wicked person would dare to face God.

¹⁷Now listen to my words of explanation.

¹⁸I am ready to state my case,

because I know I am in the right.

¹⁹Are you coming to accuse me, God?

If you do, I am ready to be silent and die.

²⁰Let me ask for two things; agree to them,

and I will not try to hide from you;

²¹stop punishing me, and don’t crush me with terror.

²²Speak first, O God, and I will answer.

Or let me speak, and you answer me.

²³What are my sins? What wrongs have I done?

What crimes am I charged with?

²⁴Why do you avoid me?

Why do you treat me like an enemy?

²⁵Are you trying to frighten me? I’m nothing but a leaf;

you are attacking a piece of dry straw.

²⁶You bring bitter charges against me,

even for what I did when I was young.

^27*You bind chains on my feet;

you watch every step I take,

and even examine my footprints.

²⁸As a result, I crumble like rotten wood,

like a moth-eaten coat.