Job 13
Job Prepares His Case
¹ “Indeed, my eyes have seen all this; my ears have heard and understood.
² What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.
³ Yet I desire to speak to the Almighty and argue my case before God.
⁴ You, however, smear with lies; you are all worthless physicians.
⁵ If only you would remain silent; for that would be your wisdom!
⁶ Hear now my argument, and listen to the plea of my lips.
⁷ Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf or speak deceitfully for Him?
⁸ Would you show Him partiality or argue in His defense?
⁹ Would it be well when He examined you? Could you deceive Him as you would deceive a man?
¹⁰ Surely He would rebuke you if you secretly showed partiality.
¹¹ Would His majesty not terrify you? Would the dread of Him not fall upon you?
¹² Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.
¹³ Be silent, and I will speak. Then let come to me what may.
¹⁴ Why do I put myself at risk 1 and take my life in my own hands?
¹⁵ Though He slay me, I will hope in Him.2 I will still defend my ways to His face.
¹⁶ Moreover, this will be my salvation, for no godless man can appear before Him.
¹⁷ Listen carefully to my words; let my declaration ring in your ears.
¹⁸ See now, I have prepared my case; I know that I will be vindicated.
¹⁹ Can anyone indict me? If so, I will be silent and die.
²⁰ Only grant these two things to me, so that I need not hide from You:
²¹ Withdraw Your hand from me, and do not let Your terror frighten me.
²² Then call me, and I will answer, or let me speak, and You can reply.
²³ How many are my iniquities and sins? Reveal to me my transgression and sin.
²⁴ Why do You hide Your face and consider me as Your enemy?
²⁵ Would You frighten a windblown leaf? Would You chase after dry chaff?
²⁶ For You record bitter accusations against me and bequeath to me the iniquities of my youth.
²⁷ You put my feet in the stocks and stand watch over all my paths; You set a limit for the soles of my feet.
²⁸ So man wastes away like something rotten, like a moth-eaten garment.