Job 13

“My eyes have seen all this,^y

my ears have heard and understood it.

What you know, I also know;

I am not inferior to you.^z

But I desire to speak to the Almighty^a

and to argue my case with God.^b

You, however, smear me with lies;^c

you are worthless physicians,^d all of you!^e

If only you would be altogether silent!^f

For you, that would be wisdom.^g

Hear now my argument;

listen to the pleas of my lips.^h

Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf?

Will you speak deceitfully for him?ⁱ

Will you show him partiality?^j

Will you argue the case for God?

Would it turn out well if he examined you?^k

Could you deceive him as you might deceive mortals?^l

He would surely call you to account

if you secretly showed partiality.^m

Would not his splendorⁿ terrify you?

Would not the dread of him fall on you?^o

Your maxims are proverbs of ashes;

your defenses are defenses of clay.^p

“Keep silent^q and let me speak;^r

then let come to me what may.^s

Why do I put myself in jeopardy

and take my life in my hands?^t

Though he slay me, yet will I hope^u in him;^v

I will surely defend my ways to his face.^w

Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance,^x

for no godless^y person would dare come before him!^z

Listen carefully to what I say;^a

let my words ring in your ears.

Now that I have prepared my case,^b

I know I will be vindicated.^c

Can anyone bring charges against me?^d

If so, I will be silent^e and die.^f

“Only grant me these two things, God,

and then I will not hide from you:

Withdraw your hand^g far from me,

and stop frightening me with your terrors.^h

Then summon me and I will answer,ⁱ

or let me speak, and you reply to me.^j

How many wrongs and sins have I committed?^k

Show me my offense and my sin.^l

Why do you hide your face^m

and consider me your enemy?ⁿ

Will you torment^o a windblown leaf?^p

Will you chase^q after dry chaff?^r

For you write down bitter things against me

and make me reap the sins of my youth.^s

You fasten my feet in shackles;^t

you keep close watch on all my paths^u

by putting marks on the soles of my feet.

“So humans waste away like something rotten,

like a garment^v eaten by moths.^w