Job 13

1Behold my eye hath seen all these things, and my ear hath heard them, and I have understood them all.

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

2According to your knowledge I also know: neither am I inferior to you.

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

3But yet I will 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.

4Having first shewn that you are forgers of lies, and maintainers of perverse opinions.

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

5And I wish you would hold your peace, that you might be thought to be wise men.

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

6Hear ye therefore my reproof, and attend to the judgment of my lips.

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

7Hath God any need of your lie, that you should speak deceitfully for him?

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

8Do you accept this person, and do you endeavour to judge for God?

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

9Or shall it please him, from whom nothing can be concealed? or shall he be deceived as a man, with your deceitful dealings?

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 shall reprove you, because in secret you accept his person.

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

11As soon as he shall move himself, he shall trouble you: and his dread shall fall upon you.

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

12Your remembrance shall be compared to ashes, and your necks shall be brought to clay.

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

13Hold your peace a little while, that I may speak whatsoever my mind shall suggest to me.

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

14Why do I tear my flesh with my teeth, and carry my soul in my hands?

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

15Although he should kill me, I will trust in him: but yet I will reprove my ways in his sight.

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

16And he shall be my saviour: for no hypocrite shall come before his presence.

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

17Hear ye my speech, and receive with your ears hidden truths.

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

18If I shall be judged, I know that I shall be found just.

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 plead against me? let him come: why am I consumed holding my peace?

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

20Two things only do not to me, and then from thy face I shall not be hid:

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 dread terrify me.

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

22Call me, and I will answer thee: or else I will speak, and do thou answer 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 my iniquities and sins? make me know my crimes and offenses.

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

24Why hidest thou thy face, and thinkest me thy enemy?

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

25Against a leaf, that is carried away with the wind, thou shewest thy power, and thou pursuest a dry straw.

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 wilt consume me for the sins 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 hast put my feet in the stocks, and hast observed all my paths, and hast considered the steps of my feet:

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

28Who am to be consumed as rottenness, and as a garment that is motheaten.

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