Job Pleads His Cause to God65

13:1 “Indeed, my eyes have seen all this,1

my ears have heard and understood it.

13:2 What you know,2 I3 know also;

I am not inferior4 to you!

13:3 But I wish to speak5 to the Almighty,6

and I desire to argue7 my case8 with God.

13:4 But you, however, are inventors of lies;9

all of you are worthless physicians!10

13:5 If only you would keep completely silent!11

For you, that would be wisdom.12

13:6 “Listen now to my argument,13

and be attentive to my lips’ contentions.14

13:7 Will you speak wickedly15 on God’s behalf?16

Will you speak deceitfully for him?

13:8 Will you show him partiality?17

Will you argue the case18 for God?

13:9 Would it turn out well if he would examine19 you?

Or as one deceives20 a man would you deceive him?

13:10 He would certainly rebuke21 you

if you secretly22 showed partiality!

13:11 Would not his splendor23 terrify24 you

and the fear he inspires25 fall on you?

13:12 Your maxims26 are proverbs of ashes;27

your defenses28 are defenses of clay.29

13:13 “Refrain from talking30 with me so that31 I may speak;

then let come to me32 what may.33

13:14 Why34 do I put myself in peril,35

and take my life in my hands?

13:15 Even if he slays me, I will hope in him;36

I will surely37 defend38 my ways to his face!

13:16 Moreover, this will become my deliverance,

for no godless person would come before him.39

13:17 Listen carefully40 to my words;

let your ears be attentive to my explanation.41

13:18 See now,42 I have prepared43 my44 case;45

I know that I am right.46

13:19 Who47 will contend with me?

If anyone can, I will be silent and die.48

13:20 Only in two things spare me,49 O God,50

and then I will not hide from your face:

13:21 Remove51 your hand52 far from me

and stop making me afraid with your terror.53

13:22 Then call,54 and I will answer,

or I will speak, and you respond to me.

13:23 How many are my55 iniquities and sins?

Show me my transgression and my sin.56

13:24 Why do you hide your face57

and regard me as your enemy?

13:25 Do you wish to torment58 a windblown59 leaf

and chase after dry chaff?60

13:26 For you write down61 bitter things against me

and cause me to inherit the sins of my youth.62

13:27 And you put my feet in the stocks63

and you watch all my movements;64

you put marks65 on the soles of my feet.

13:28 So I66 waste away like something rotten,67

like a garment eaten by moths.