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The Book of Job

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- Chapter 13 -

1
Behold, my eye has seen all these things, and my ear has heard, and I have understood each one.
2
In conformity with your knowledge, I also know. I am not inferior to you.
3
Yet I speak this way to the Almighty, and I desire to argue with God,
4
having first shown that you fabricate lies and cultivate perverse teachings.
5
And I wish that you would remain silent, so that you would be counted among the wise.
6
Therefore, listen to my correction, and pay attention to the judgment of my lips.
7
Does God require your lie, so that you would speak deceitfully for him?
8
Have you taken his place, and do you struggle to give judgment in favor of God?(a)
9
Or, will it please him, from whom nothing can be concealed? Or, will he be deceived, like a man, by your deceitfulness?
10
He will accuse you because in secret you have preempted his presence.(b)
11
As soon as he moves himself, he will disturb you, and his dread will fall over you.
12
Your remembrance will be compared to ashes, and your necks will be reduced to clay.(c)
13
Be silent for a little while, so that I may speak whatever my mind suggests to me.
14
Why do I wound my flesh with my teeth, and carry my soul in my hands?
15
And now, if he would kill me, I will hope in him; in this, truly, I will correct my ways in his sight.
16
And he will be my savior, for no hypocrite at all will approach in his sight.
17
Listen to my words, and perceive an enigma with your ears.
18
If I will be judged, I know that I will be found to be just.
19
Who is it that will go to judgment with me? Let him approach. Why should I be consumed in silence?

Job's desperate prayer

20
Do not do such things to me twice, and then I will not hide from your face.
21
Take your hand far away from me, and do not let your dread terrify me.
22
Call me, and I will answer you, or else I will speak, and you can answer me.
23
How many iniquities and sins do I have? Reveal my crimes and offenses to me.
24
Why do you conceal your face and consider me to be your enemy?
25
Against a leaf, which is carried away by the wind, you reveal your power, and you pursue dry straw.
26
For you write bitter things against me, and you want to consume me for the sins of my youth.
27
You have put my feet on a tether, and you have observed all my paths, and you have considered the steps of my feet.(d)
28
I will be left to decay like something rotten and like a garment that is being eaten by moths.

Footnotes

(a)13:8 Literally, it says ‘Have you received his face....’ But the meaning is better expressed by, ‘Have you taken his place....’(Conte)
(b)13:10 Similar to verse 13:8, the word ‘faciem,’ usually translated as face or appearance, prefers to the presence of God. In this case the same phrase, ‘faciem eius accipitis,’ is best translated as ‘preempted his presence,’ rather than as ‘taken his place.’ Context is a very important determinant of meaning.(Conte)
(c)13:12 ‘Necks’ is plural because Job is speaking to his three friends, not just to one of them.(Conte)
(d)13:27 The word ‘pedem’ is singular in Latin, but, when English uses this expression, it is plural.(Conte)
1
“Behold, my eye has seen all this. My ear has heard and understood it.
2
What you know, I know also. I am not inferior to you.
3
“Surely I would speak to the Almighty. I desire to reason with God.
4
But you are forgers of lies. You are all physicians of no value.
5
Oh that you would be completely silent! Then you would be wise.
6
Hear now my reasoning. Listen to the pleadings of my lips.
7
Will you speak unrighteously for God, and talk deceitfully for him?
8
Will you show partiality to him? Will you contend for God?
9
Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceives a man, will you deceive him?
10
He will surely reprove you if you secretly show partiality.
11
Won’t his majesty make you afraid and his dread fall on you?
12
Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes. Your defenses are defenses of clay.
13
“Be silent! Leave me alone, that I may speak. Let come on me what will.
14
Why should I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand?
15
Behold, he will kill me. I have no hope. Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him.
16
This also will be my salvation, that a godless man will not come before him.
17
Listen carefully to my speech. Let my declaration be in your ears.
18
See now, I have set my cause in order. I know that I am righteous.
19
Who is he who will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and give up the spirit.

Job's desperate prayer

20
“Only don’t do two things to me, then I will not hide myself from your face:
21
withdraw your hand far from me, and don’t let your terror make me afraid.
22
Then call, and I will answer, or let me speak, and you answer me.
23
How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me know my disobedience and my sin.
24
Why do you hide your face, and consider me your enemy?
25
Will you harass a driven leaf? Will you pursue the dry stubble?
26
For you write bitter things against me, and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.
27
You also put my feet in the stocks, and mark all my paths. You set a bound to the soles of my feet,
28
though I am decaying like a rotten thing, like a garment that is moth-eaten.
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