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Job Challenges God

13 “Indeed, my eye has seen it all,
    my ears have heard and understood it.
What you know, I also know;
    I am not inferior to you.
Still, I desire to speak to Shaddai
    and to argue my case with God.
You, however, smear me with lies;
    you are worthless doctors—all of you!
If only you would keep completely silent!
    For you, that would be wisdom.
Hear now my argument;
    listen to the contentions of my lips.
Will you speak unjustly on God’s behalf?
    Will you speak deceitfully for Him?
Will you show Him partiality?
    Will you argue the case for God?
Would it turn out well if He examined you?
    Could you deceive Him as you deceive a man?
10 He would surely rebuke you
    if you secretly showed favoritism.
11 Would not His majesty terrify you
    and the dread of Him fall on you?
12 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes;
    your defenses are defenses of clay.

13 Be silent and let me speak;
    then let come to me what may.
14 Why should I take my flesh in my teeth
    and take my life in my hands?
15 Even if He slays me, I will wait for Him;
    I will surely defend my ways before Him.
16 This, too, will be my salvation
    for no godless can come before Him.

17 “Listen carefully to my words,
    and let my declaration be in your ears.
18 See now, I have prepared my case;
    I know that I will be vindicated.
19 Who will contend with me?
    If so, I will be silent and die.

20 “Only two things do not do to me;
    then I will not hide from Your face:
21 withdraw Your hand far from me,
    and do not assail me with Your terror.
22 Then call, and I will answer,
    or I will speak, and You respond to me.
23 How many are my iniquities and sins?
    Show me my transgressions and sin.
24 Why do You hide Your face
    and consider me Your enemy?
25 Will You frighten a windblown leaf
    and chase after 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 shackles and watch all my paths;
You put marks on the soles of my feet.

28 “So he wastes away
    like something rotten,
    like a moth-eaten garment.

13 “My eyes have seen all this,(A)
    my ears have heard and understood it.
What you know, I also know;
    I am not inferior to you.(B)
But I desire to speak to the Almighty(C)
    and to argue my case with God.(D)
You, however, smear me with lies;(E)
    you are worthless physicians,(F) all of you!(G)
If only you would be altogether silent!(H)
    For you, that would be wisdom.(I)
Hear now my argument;
    listen to the pleas of my lips.(J)
Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf?
    Will you speak deceitfully for him?(K)
Will you show him partiality?(L)
    Will you argue the case for God?
Would it turn out well if he examined you?(M)
    Could you deceive him as you might deceive a mortal?(N)
10 He would surely call you to account
    if you secretly showed partiality.(O)
11 Would not his splendor(P) terrify you?
    Would not the dread of him fall on you?(Q)
12 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes;
    your defenses are defenses of clay.(R)

13 “Keep silent(S) and let me speak;(T)
    then let come to me what may.(U)
14 Why do I put myself in jeopardy
    and take my life in my hands?(V)
15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope(W) in him;(X)
    I will surely[a] defend my ways to his face.(Y)
16 Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance,(Z)
    for no godless(AA) person would dare come before him!(AB)
17 Listen carefully to what I say;(AC)
    let my words ring in your ears.
18 Now that I have prepared my case,(AD)
    I know I will be vindicated.(AE)
19 Can anyone bring charges against me?(AF)
    If so, I will be silent(AG) and die.(AH)

20 “Only grant me these two things, God,
    and then I will not hide from you:
21 Withdraw your hand(AI) far from me,
    and stop frightening me with your terrors.(AJ)
22 Then summon me and I will answer,(AK)
    or let me speak, and you reply to me.(AL)
23 How many wrongs and sins have I committed?(AM)
    Show me my offense and my sin.(AN)
24 Why do you hide your face(AO)
    and consider me your enemy?(AP)
25 Will you torment(AQ) a windblown leaf?(AR)
    Will you chase(AS) after dry chaff?(AT)
26 For you write down bitter things against me
    and make me reap the sins of my youth.(AU)
27 You fasten my feet in shackles;(AV)
    you keep close watch on all my paths(AW)
    by putting marks on the soles of my feet.

28 “So man wastes away like something rotten,
    like a garment(AX) eaten by moths.(AY)

Footnotes

  1. Job 13:15 Or He will surely slay me; I have no hope — / yet I will