Job 13  Christian Standard Bible Anglicised

13 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 Almighty
and argue my case before God.^(C)
4 You use lies like plaster;
you are all worthless healers.^(D)
5 If only you would shut up
and let that be your wisdom!

⁶ Hear now my argument,
and listen to my defence.^[a]
7 Would you testify unjustly on God’s behalf
or speak deceitfully for him?
⁸ Would you show partiality^(E) to him
or argue the case in his defence?
⁹ Would it go well if he examined you?
Could you deceive him as you would deceive a man?^(F)
10 Surely he would rebuke you
if you secretly showed partiality.
¹¹ Would God’s majesty not terrify you?^(G)
Would his dread not fall on you?
¹² Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ash;^(H)
your defences are made of clay.

¹³ Be quiet,^[b] and I will speak.
Let whatever comes happen to me.
¹⁴ I will put^[c] myself at risk^[d]
and take my life in my own hands.
¹⁵ Even if he kills me, I will hope in him.^[e]
I will still defend^(I) my ways before him.
¹⁶ Yes, this will result in my deliverance,
for no godless person^(J) 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;^(K)
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.^(L)
22 Then call, and I will answer,^(M)
or I will speak, and you can respond to me.
²³ How many iniquities^(N) and sins have I committed?^[f]
Reveal to me my transgression and sin.
²⁴ Why do you hide your face
and consider me your enemy?^(O)
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^[g] of my feet.

²⁸ A person wears out like something rotten,
like a moth-eaten garment.^(P)