13:1 [JOB CONTINUED:] Behold, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it. |
13:2 What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you. |
13:3 Surely I wish to speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue {and} reason my case with God [that He may explain the conflict between what I believe of Him and what I see of Him]. |
13:4 But you are forgers of lies [you defame my character most untruthfully]; you are all physicians of no value {and} have no remedy to offer. |
13:5 Oh, that you would altogether hold your peace! Then you would evidence your wisdom {and} you might pass for wise men. |
13:6 Hear now my reasoning, and listen to the pleadings of my lips. |
13:7 Will you speak unrighteously for God and talk deceitfully for Him? |
13:8 Will you show partiality to Him [be unjust to me in order to gain favor with Him]? Will you act as special pleaders for God? |
13:9 Would it be profitable for you if He should investigate your tactics [with me]? Or as one deceives {and} mocks a man, do you deceive {and} mock Him? |
13:10 He will surely reprove you if you do secretly show partiality. |
13:11 Shall not His majesty make you afraid, and should not your awe for Him restrain you? |
13:12 Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes [valueless]; your defenses are defenses of clay [and will crumble]. |
13:13 Hold your peace! Let me alone, so I may speak; and let come on me what may. |
13:14 Why should I take my flesh in my teeth and put my life in my hands [incurring the danger of God's wrath]? |
13:15 [I do it because, though He slay me, yet will I wait for and trust Him and] behold, He will slay me; I have no hope--nevertheless, I will maintain {and} argue my ways before Him {and} even to His face. |
13:16 This will be my salvation, that a polluted {and} godless man shall not come before Him. |
13:17 Listen diligently to my speech, and let my declaration be in your ears. |
13:18 Behold now, I have prepared my case; I know that I shall be justified {and} vindicated. |
13:19 Who is he who will argue against {and} refute me? For then I would hold my peace and expire. |
13:20 Only [O Lord] grant two conditions to me, and then will I not hide myself from You: |
13:21 Withdraw Your hand and take this bodily suffering far from me; and let not my [reverent] dread of You terrify me. |
13:22 Then [Lord] call and I will answer, or let me speak, and You answer me. |
13:23 How many are my iniquities and sins [that so much sorrow should come to me]? Make me recognize {and} know my transgression and my sin. |
13:24 Why do You hide Your face [as if offended] and alienate me as if I were Your enemy? |
13:25 Will You harass {and} frighten a [poor, helpless] leaf driven to and fro, and will You pursue the chaff of the dry stubble? |
13:26 For You write bitter things against me [in Your bill of indictment] and make me inherit {and} be accountable now for the iniquities of my youth. |
13:27 You put my feet also in the stocks and observe critically all my paths; You set a circle {and} limit around the soles of my feet [which I must not overstep]. |
13:28 And he wastes away as a rotten thing, like a garment that is moth-eaten. |