Job Pleads His Cause to God65
13:1 Indeed, my eye has seen all
this,1
my ear has 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 O that you would keep completely silent!11
For you that would be wisdom.12
13:6 Listen now to my rebuke,13
and be attentive to the arguments of my lips.
13:7 Will you speak wickedly14
on God’s behalf?15
Will you speak deceitfully for him?
13:8 Will you show him partiality?16
Will you argue the case for God?
13:9 Would it turn out well if would examine17
you?
or, as one deceives18
a man would you deceive him?
13:10 He would certainly rebuke19
you
if you secretly20
showed partiality.
13:11 Would not his splendor21
terrify22
you?
and the fear he inspires23
fall on you?
13:12 Your maxims24
are proverbs of ashes;25
your defenses26
are defenses of clay.27
13:13 Refrain from talking28
with me so that29
I may speak;
then let come upon me30
what may.31
13:14 Why32
do I put myself in jeopardy,33
and take my life in my hands?
13:15 If he slays me, I will hope in him;34
I will surely35
defend36
my ways to his face.
13:16 Moreover, this will become my deliverance,
for no godless man would come before him.37
13:17 Listen carefully38
to my words,
let your ears be attentive to my explanation.39
13:18 See now,40
I have prepared41
my42
case,43
I know that I am right.44
13:19 Who45
will contend with me?
If so, I will be silent and die.46
13:20 Only in two things spare me,47
O God,48
and then I will not hide from your face:
13:21 Remove49
your hand50
far from me,
and stop making me afraid with your terror.51
13:22 Then call,52
and I will answer,
or I will speak, and you respond to me.
13:23 How many are my53
iniquities and sins?
Show me my transgression and my sin.54
13:24 Why do you hide your face55
and regard me as your enemy?
13:25 Do you wish to torment56
a windblown57
leaf?
and chase after dry chaff?58
13:26 For you write down59
bitter things against me
and cause me to inherit the sins of my youth.60
13:27 And you put my feet in the stocks,61
and you watch all my movements;62
you put marks63
on the soles of my feet.
13:28 So man64
wastes away like something rotten,65
like a garment eaten by moths.