Job

The book of Job, chapter 13, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 13 New English Translation

Job Pleads His Cause to God

   1 "Indeed, my eyes have seen all this, my ears have heard and understood it.
   2 What you know, I know also; I am not inferior to you!
   3 But I wish to speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God.
   4 But you, however, are inventors of lies; all of you are worthless physicians!
   5 If only you would keep completely silent! For you, that would be wisdom.
   6 "Listen now to my argument, and be attentive to my lips' contentions.
   7 Will you speak wickedly on God's behalf? Will you speak deceitfully for him?
   8 Will you show him partiality? Will you argue the case for God?
   9 Would it turn out well if he would examine you? Or as one deceives a man would you deceive him?
   10 He would certainly rebuke you if you secretly showed partiality!
   11 Would not his splendor terrify you and the fear he inspires fall on you?
   12 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.
   13 "Refrain from talking with me so that I may speak; then let come to me what may.
   14 Why do I put myself in peril, and take my life in my hands?
   15 Even if he slays me, I will hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face!
   16 Moreover, this will become my deliverance, for no godless person would come before him.
   17 Listen carefully to my words; let your ears be attentive to my explanation.
   18 See now, I have prepared my case; I know that I am right.
   19 Who will contend with me? If anyone can, I will be silent and die.
   20 Only in two things spare me, O God, and then I will not hide from your face:
   21 Remove your hand far from me and stop making me afraid 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 transgression and my sin.
   24 Why do you hide your face and regard me as your enemy?
   25 Do you wish to torment a windblown leaf and chase after dry chaff?
   26 For you write down bitter things against me and cause me to inherit the sins of my youth.
   27 And you put my feet in the stocks and you watch all my movements; you put marks on the soles of my feet.
   28 So I waste away like something rotten, like a garment eaten by moths.

King James Version

   1 Lo, mine eye hath seen all this, mine ear hath heard and understood it.
   2 What ye know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you.
   3 Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.
   4 But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.
   5 O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom.
   6 Hear now my reasoning, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips.
   7 Will ye speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for him?
   8 Will ye accept his person? will ye contend for God?
   9 Is it good that he should search you out? or as one man mocketh another, do ye so mock him?
   10 He will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly accept persons.
   11 Shall not his excellency make you afraid? and his dread fall upon you?
   12 Your remembrances are like unto ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay.
   13 Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what will.
   14 Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand?
   15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
   16 He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him.
   17 Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears.
   18 Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified.
   19 Who is he that will plead with me? for now, if I hold my tongue, I shall give up the ghost.
   20 Only do not two things unto me: then will I not hide myself from thee.
   21 Withdraw thine hand far from me: and let not thy dread make me afraid.
   22 Then call thou, and I will answer: or let me speak, and answer thou me.
   23 How many are mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin.
   24 Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and holdest me for thine enemy?
   25 Wilt thou break a leaf driven to and fro? and wilt thou pursue the dry stubble?
   26 For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth.
   27 Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, and lookest narrowly unto all my paths; thou settest a print upon the heels of my feet.
   28 And he, as a rotten thing, consumeth, as a garment that is moth eaten.