Job 13

1 Lo! all [this], hath mine own eye seen, —Mine ear hath heard and understood it:

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

2 Just as ye know, I too, know, I, fall not short, of you.

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

3 But indeed, I, unto the Almighty, would speak, and, to direct my argument unto GOD, would I be well pleased.

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

4 For, in truth, ye, do besmear with falsehood, Worthless physicians, all of you!

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

5 Oh that ye would, altogether hold your peace, and it should serve you for wisdom!

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

6 Hear, I pray you, the argument of my mouth, and, to the pleadings of my lips, give heed: —

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

7 Is it, for God, ye would speak perversely? And, for him, would ye speak deceit:

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

8 Even, for him, would ye be partial? Or, for GOD, would ye [so] plead?

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

9 Would it be well, when he searched you out? Or, as one might jest with a mortal, would ye jest, with him?

Will 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?

10 He will, severely rebuke, you, if ye are secretly partial.

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

11 Shall not, his majesty, overwhelm you? and, the dread of him, fall upon you?

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

12 Are not your memorable sayings, proverbs of ashes? Breastworks of clay, your breastworks?

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

13 Quietly let me alone, that, I, may speak out, then let come on me, what may.

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

14 In any case, I will take up my flesh in my teeth, and, my life, will I put in my hand:

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

15 Lo! he may slay me, [yet], for him, will I wait, —Nevertheless, my ways—unto his face, will I show to be right:

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

16 Even he, will be on my side—unto salvation, For, not before his face, shall any impious person come.

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

17 Hear ye patiently my speech, and be my declaration in your ears.

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

18 Lo! I pray you, I have set forth in order a plea, I know that, I, shall be found right.

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

19 Who is it that shall contend with me? For, now, if I should hold my peace, why! I should breathe my last!

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

20 Only, two things, do thou not with me, then, from thy face, will I not hide me: —

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

21 Thy hand—from off me, take thou far away, and, thy terror, let it not startle me!

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

22 Then call thou, and, I, will answer, Or I will speak, and reply thou unto me.

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

23 How many are mine iniquities and sins? My transgression and my sin, let me know!

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

24 Wherefore, thy face, shouldst thou hide? Or count me, as an enemy to thee?

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

25 A driven leaf, wilt thou cause to tremble? Or, dry stubble, wilt thou pursue?

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

26 For thou writest, against me, bitter things, and dost make me inherit the iniquities of my youth;

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

27 And thou dost put—in the stocks—my feet, and observest all my paths, Against the roots of my feet, thou dost cut out a bound;

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

28 And, a man himself, as a rotten thing, weareth out, as a garment which the moth hath eaten.

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