Job 13 | HCSB | STEP | Look , my eyes have seen all this; my ears have heard and understood it.

‏ Job 13

1 Look, my eyes have seen all this;

my ears ^a have heard and understood it.
2 Everything you know, I also know;
I am not inferior to you. ^b
3 Yet I prefer to speak to the ^{▼▼God Almighty: The Hebrew word is El Shaddai; El = "God," but the meaning of Shaddai is disputed; traditionally it is translated "Almighty".}Almighty
and argue my case before God. ^d
4 But you coat the truth with lies;
you are all worthless doctors. ^e
5 If only you would shut up
and let that be your wisdom!

6 Hear now my argument,
and listen to my defense. ^{▼▼Lit to the claims of my lips}
7 Would you testify unjustly on God’s behalf
or speak deceitfully for Him?
8 Would you show partiality ^g to Him
or argue the case in His defense?
9 Would it go well if He examined you?
Could you deceive Him as you would deceive a man? ^h
10 Surely He would rebuke you
if you secretly showed partiality.
11 Would God’s majesty not terrify you? ⁱ
Would His dread not fall on you?
12 Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ash; ^j
your defenses are made of clay.

13 Be quiet, ^{▼▼Lit quiet before me} and I will speak.
Let whatever comes happen to me.
14 Why do I put myself at risk ^{▼▼Lit I take my flesh in my teeth}
and take my life in my own hands?
15 Even if He kills me, I will hope in Him. ^{▼▼Some Hb mss read I will be without hope}
I will still defend ⁿ my ways before Him.
16 Yes, this will result in my deliverance,
for no godless person ^o can appear before Him.
17 Pay close attention to my words;
let my declaration ring in your ears.
18 Now then, I have prepared my case; ^p
I know that I am right.
19 Can anyone indict me?
If so, I will be silent and die.

20 Only grant these two things to me, God,
so that I will not have to hide from Your presence:
21 remove Your hand from me,
and do not let Your terror frighten me. ^q
22 Then call, and I will answer, ^r
or I will speak, and You can respond to me.
23 How many iniquities ^s and sins have I committed? ^{▼▼Lit sins are to me}
Reveal to me my transgression and sin.
24 Why do You hide Your face
and consider me Your enemy? ^u
25 Will You frighten a wind-driven leaf?
Will You chase after dry straw?
26 For You record bitter accusations against me
and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.
27 You put my feet in the stocks
and stand watch over all my paths,
setting a limit for the soles ^{▼▼Lit paths. You mark a line around the roots} of my feet.

28 Man wears out like something rotten,
like a moth-eaten garment. ^w