JOB 13
Job Continues: Still I Will Hope in God
[1] “Behold, my eye has seen all this,
my ear has heard and understood it.
[2] What you know, I also know;
I am not inferior to you.
[3] But I would speak to the Almighty,
and I desire to argue my case with God.
[4] As for you, you whitewash with lies;
worthless physicians are you all.
[5] Oh that you would keep silent,
and it would be your wisdom!
[6] Hear now my argument
and listen to the pleadings of my lips.
[7] Will you speak falsely for God
and speak deceitfully for him?
[8] Will you show partiality toward him?
Will you plead the case for God?
[9] Will it be well with you when he searches you out?
Or can you deceive him, as one deceives a man?
[10] He will surely rebuke you
if in secret you show partiality.
[11] Will not his majesty terrify you,
and the dread of him fall upon you?
[12] Your maxims are proverbs of ashes;
your defenses are defenses of clay.
[13] “Let me have silence, and I will speak,
and let come on me what may.
[14] Why should I take my flesh in my teeth
and put my life in my hand?
[15] Though he slay me, I will hope in him;
yet I will argue my ways to his face.
[16] This will be my salvation,
that the godless shall not come before him.
[17] Keep listening to my words,
and let my declaration be in your ears.
[18] Behold, I have prepared my case;
I know that I shall be in the right.
[19] Who is there who will contend with me?
For then I would be silent and die.
[20] Only grant me two things,
then I will not hide myself from your face:
[21] withdraw your hand far from me,
and let not dread of you terrify me.
[22] Then call, and I will answer;
or let me speak, and you reply to me.
[23] How many are my iniquities and my sins?
Make me know my transgression and my sin.
[24] Why do you hide your face
and count me as your enemy?
[25] Will you frighten a driven leaf
and pursue dry chaff?
[26] For you write bitter things against me
and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.
[27] You put my feet in the stocks
and watch all my paths;
you set a limit for the soles of my feet.
[28] Man wastes away like a rotten thing,
like a garment that is moth-eaten. (ESV)
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