Open English Translation JOB Chapter 13

13 Look here, my eyes have seen all that,

≈my ears have heard it and understood.

2 I also know everything that you know,

≈I’m not way behind you.

3 But I would like to talk to the provider,

≈and I desire to plead with God.

4 But you’re all smearers of lies,

≈all of you are worthless healers.

5 If only you all would remain silent,

then you all might be considered wise.

6 Please listen to my argument,

≈and pay attention to the pleading of my lips.

7 Will you all speak faithlessly on God’s behalf,

≈and will you talk deceitfully for him?

8 Will you show partiality to him,

or argue the case for God?

9 Is it good that he’ll examine you all,

or will you deceive him like deceiving a person?

10 He would certainly rebuke you all,

if you were secretly showing partiality.

11 Shouldn’t his majesty make you all afraid,

≈and his dread fall on you all?

12 Your traditional sayings are proverbs of ashes.

≈Your defenses might as well be made of clay.

13 Be silent in my presence and let me speak,

and let come to me what may.

14 Why should I bite my flesh with my own teeth,

≈and take my life in my own hands?

15 Even if he kills me, my hope will still be in him.

I will certainly defend my behaviour to him in person.

16 Even that would result in my salvation.

A godless person wouldn’t enter his presence.

17 Listen carefully to my words,

≈and may my declaration be in the ears of you all.

18 I’ve now arranged my case.

I know that I’m in the right.

19 Who will conduct my case?

I’ll keep silent now and die.

20 Just don’t do these two things to me,

then I won’t hide myself from your presence:

21 Don’t take your hand far away from me,

and don’t terrify me with your dread.

22 Then call me and I’ll answer,

or let me speak and answer me.

23 How many errors and sins do I have?

Let me know how I disobeyed and sinned.

24 Why are you keeping away from me,

and treating me like an enemy?

25 Would you terrify a leaf blown by the wind?

≈Would you chase a dry stalk to punish it?

26 You write bitter things against me,

and even recall the errors of my youth.

27 You lock my feet in stocks.[ref]

You watch all my paths and mark the soles of my feet.

28 He decays like something rotten.

≈He’s like a garment that’s eaten by moths.