Job 13:1-28 AMP

[1] [Job continued:] “Behold, my eye has seen all this, My ear has heard and understood it. [2] What you know I also know; I am not inferior to you. [3] “But I wish to speak to the Almighty, And I desire to argue with God. [4] But you smear me with lies [you defame my character most untruthfully]; You are all worthless physicians and have no remedy to offer. [5] Oh, that you would be completely silent, And that silence would be your wisdom! [6] Please hear my argument And listen to the pleadings of my lips. [7] Will you speak what is unjust for God, And speak what is deceitful for Him? [8] Will you show partiality for Him [and be unjust to me so that you may gain favor with Him]? Will you contend and plead for God? [9] Will it be well for you when He investigates you [and your tactics against me]? Or will you deceive Him as one deceives a man? [10] He will surely reprimand you If you secretly show partiality. [11] Will not His majesty terrify you, And will not the dread of Him fall upon you? [12] Your memorable sayings are [worthless, merely] proverbs of ashes; Your defenses are defenses of [crumbling] clay. [13] “Be silent before me so that I may speak; And let happen to me what may. [14] Why should I take my flesh in my teeth And put my life in my hands [incurring the wrath of God]? [15] Even though He kills me; I will hope in Him. Nevertheless, I will argue my ways to His face. [16] This also will be my salvation, For a godless man may not come before Him. [17] Listen diligently to my speech, And let my declaration fill your ears. [18] Behold now, I have prepared my case; I know that I will be vindicated. [19] Who will argue and contend with me? For then I would be silent and die. [20] “Only [O Lord,] do not do two things to me, And then I will not hide myself from Your face: [21] Withdraw Your hand from me and remove this bodily suffering, And let not the dread of You terrify me. [22] Then [Lord,] call, and I will answer; Or let me speak, and then reply to me. [23] How many are my iniquities and sins [that so much sorrow should come to me]? Make me recognize and understand my transgression and my sin. [24] Why do You hide Your face [as if offended] And consider me Your enemy? [25] Will You cause a windblown leaf to tremble? Will You pursue the chaff of the dry stubble? [26] For You write bitter things against me [in Your indictment] And make me inherit and suffer for the iniquities of my youth. [27] You also put my feet in the stocks [as punishment] And [critically] observe all my paths; You set a circle and limit around the soles of my feet [which I must not overstep], [28] While I waste away like a rotten thing, Like a garment that is moth-eaten.