Job 13

1Lo, mine eye hath seen all this, Mine ear hath heard and understood it.

1Truly, my eye has seen all this, word of it has come to my ear, and I have knowledge of it.

2What ye know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you.

2The same things are in my mind as in yours; I am equal to you.

3 Surely I would speak to the Almighty, And I desire to reason with God.

3But I would have talk with the Ruler of all, and my desire is to have an argument with God.

4But ye are forgers of lies; Ye are all physicians of no value.

4But you put a false face on things; all your attempts to put things right are of no value.

5Oh that ye would altogether hold your peace! And it would be your wisdom.

5If only you would keep quiet, it would be a sign of wisdom!

6Hear now my reasoning, And hearken to the pleadings of my lips.

6Give ear to the argument of my mouth, and take note of the words of my lips.

7Will ye speak unrighteously for God, And talk deceitfully for him?

7Will you say in God's name what is not right, and put false words into his mouth?

8Will ye show partiality to him? Will ye contend for God?

8Will you have respect for God's person in this cause, and put yourselves forward as his supporters?

9Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceiveth a man, will ye deceive him?

9Will it be good for you to be searched out by him, or have you the thought that he may be guided into error like a man?

10He will surely reprove you, If ye do secretly show partiality.

10He will certainly put you right, if you have respect for persons in secret.

11Shall not his majesty make you afraid, And his dread fall upon you?

11Will not his glory put you in fear, so that your hearts will be overcome before him?

12Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defences are defences of clay.

12Your wise sayings are only dust, and your strong places are only earth.

13 Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak; And let come on me what will.

13Keep quiet, and let me say what is in my mind, whatever may come to me.

14Wherefore should I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hand?

14I will take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand.

15Behold, he will slay me; I have no hope: Nevertheless I will maintain my ways before him.

15Truly, he will put an end to me; I have no hope; but I will not give way in argument before him;

16This also shall be my salvation, That a godless man shall not come before him.

16And that will be my salvation, for an evil-doer would not come before him,

17Hear diligently my speech, And let my declaration be in your ears.

17Give ear with care to my words, and keep what I say in your minds.

18Behold now, I have set my cause in order; I know that I am righteous.

18See now, I have put my cause in order, and I am certain that I will be seen to be right.

19Who is he that will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and give up the ghost.

19Is any one able to take up the argument against me? If so, I would keep quiet and give up my breath.

20 Only do not two things unto me; Then will I not hide myself from thy face:

20Only two things do not do to me, then I will come before your face:

21Withdraw thy hand far from me; And let not thy terror make me afraid.

21Take your hand far away from me; and let me not be overcome by fear of you.

22Then call thou, and I will answer; Or let me speak, and answer thou me.

22Then at the sound of your voice I will give answer; or let me put forward my cause for you to give me an answer.

23How many are mine iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgression and my sin.

23What is the number of my evil-doings and my sins? give me knowledge of them.

24Wherefore hidest thou thy face, And holdest me for thine enemy?

24Why is your face veiled from me, as if I was numbered among your haters?

25Wilt thou harass a driven leaf? And wilt thou pursue the dry stubble?

25Will you be hard on a leaf in flight before the wind? will you make a dry stem go more quickly on its way?

26For thou writest bitter things against me, And makest me to inherit the iniquities of my youth:

26For you put bitter things on record against me, and send punishment on me for the sins of my early years;

27Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, And markest all my paths; Thou settest a bound to the soles of my feet:

27And you put chains on my feet, watching all my ways, and making a limit for my steps;

28Though I am like a rotten thing that consumeth, Like a garment that is moth-eaten.

28Though a man comes to nothing like a bit of dead wood, or like a robe which has become food for the worm.