Job 13
1 Lo, mine eye hath seen all this, mine ear hath heard and understood it.2 What ye know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you.3 Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.4 But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.5 O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom.6 Hear now my reasoning, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips.7 Will ye speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for him?8 Will ye accept his person? will ye contend for God?9 Is it good that he should search you out? or as one man mocketh another, do ye so mock him?10 He will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly accept persons.11 Shall not his excellency make you afraid? and his dread fall upon you?12 Your remembrances are like unto ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay.
13 Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what will.s14 Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand?15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.s16 He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him.17 Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears.18 Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified.19 Who is he that will plead with me? for now, if I hold my tongue, I shall give up the ghost.20 Only do not two things unto me: then will I not hide myself from thee.21 Withdraw thine hand far from me: and let not thy dread make me afraid.22 Then call thou, and I will answer: or let me speak, and answer thou me.
23 How many are mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin.24 Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and holdest me for thine enemy?25 Wilt thou break a leaf driven to and fro? and wilt thou pursue the dry stubble?26 For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth.27 Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, and lookest narrowly unto all my paths; thou settest a print upon the heels of my feet.ss28 And he, as a rotten thing, consumeth, as a garment that is moth eaten.
Job 13
I'm Taking My Case to God
1-5 "Yes, I've seen all this with my own eyes, heard and understood it with my very own ears. Everything you know, I know, so I'm not taking a backseat to any of you. I'm taking my case straight to God Almighty; I've had it with you—I'm going directly to God. You graffiti my life with lies. You're a bunch of pompous quacks! I wish you'd shut your mouths— silence is your only claim to wisdom.
6-12 "Listen now while I make my case, consider my side of things for a change. Or are you going to keep on lying 'to do God a service'? to make up stories 'to get him off the hook'? Why do you always take his side? Do you think he needs a lawyer to defend himself? How would you fare if you were in the dock? Your lies might convince a jury—but would they convince God? He'd reprimand you on the spot if he detected a bias in your witness. Doesn't his splendor put you in awe? Aren't you afraid to speak cheap lies before him? Your wise sayings are knickknack wisdom, good for nothing but gathering dust.
13-19 "So hold your tongue while I have my say, then I'll take whatever I have coming to me. Why do I go out on a limb like this and take my life in my hands? Because even if he killed me, I'd keep on hoping. I'd defend my innocence to the very end. Just wait, this is going to work out for the best—my salvation! If I were guilt-stricken do you think I'd be doing this— laying myself on the line before God? You'd better pay attention to what I'm telling you, listen carefully with both ears. Now that I've laid out my defense, I'm sure that I'll be acquitted. Can anyone prove charges against me? I've said my piece. I rest my case.
Why Does God Stay Hidden and Silent?
20-27 "Please, God, I have two requests; grant them so I'll know I count with you: First, lay off the afflictions; the terror is too much for me. Second, address me directly so I can answer you, or let me speak and then you answer me. How many sins have been charged against me? Show me the list—how bad is it? Why do you stay hidden and silent? Why treat me like I'm your enemy? Why kick me around like an old tin can? Why beat a dead horse? You compile a long list of mean things about me, even hold me accountable for the sins of my youth. You hobble me so I can't move about. You watch every move I make, and brand me as a dangerous character.
28 "Like something rotten, human life fast decomposes, like a moth-eaten shirt or a mildewed blouse."
