Job 13

¹‘My eyes have seen all this,
    my ears have heard and understood it.
² What you know, I also know;
    I am not inferior to you.
³ But I desire to speak to the Almighty
    and to argue my case with God.
⁴ You, however, smear me with lies;
    you are worthless physicians, all of you!
⁵ If only you would be altogether silent!
    For you, that would be wisdom.
⁶ Hear now my argument;
    listen to the pleas of my lips.
⁷ Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf?
    Will you speak deceitfully for him?
⁸ Will you show him partiality?
    Will you argue the case for God?
⁹ Would it turn out well if he examined you?
    Could you deceive him as you might deceive a mortal?
¹⁰ He would surely call you to account
    if you secretly showed partiality.
¹¹ Would not his splendour terrify you?
    Would not the dread of him fall on you?
¹² Your maxims are proverbs of ashes;
    your defences are defences of clay.

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^[a] 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.
²³ How many wrongs and sins have I committed?
    Show me my offence and my sin.
²⁴ Why do you hide your face
    and consider me your enemy?
²⁵ Will you torment a wind-blown leaf?
    Will you chase after dry chaff?
²⁶ For you write down bitter things against me
    and make me reap the sins of my youth.
²⁷ You fasten my feet in shackles;
    you keep close watch on all my paths
    by putting marks on the soles of my feet.

²⁸ ‘So man wastes away like something rotten,
    like a garment eaten by moths.