Job Chapter 13

              13^:1“I’ve seen that;

                        I’ve heard it and understand it.

                  ² What you know, I know too;

I’m not more ignorant than you.                          Job 13:1-2

                  ³ “But I’m willing to speak to the Almighty himself;

                        I want to argue with God.

                  ⁴ You men are smearing me with things that aren’t true;

                        you’re untrained doctors.

                  ⁵ Oh that you’d just be quiet

                        and show your wisdom that way!

                  ⁶ Hear me out; 

                        listen to what I’m arguing.

                  ⁷ Will you lie to defend God?

                        Will you speak deceitfully on his behalf?

                  ⁸ Will you favor him by how you testify?

Will you argue his case for him?                          Job 13:3-8

                  ⁹ How will you fare when he examines you?

                        Will you try to deceive him like you deceive people?

                  ¹⁰ He’ll rebuke you for sure

                        if you secretly skew your testimony to favor him.

                  ¹¹ Doesn’t his majesty terrify you,

                        and the dread of him fall on you?

                  ¹² Your memorable sayings are proverbs made of ashes,

                        defenses made of clay.

Job 13:9-12

                  ¹³ “Be quiet so I can talk;

                        then let come on me what may.

                  ¹⁴ Why should I bite my body

                        and take my life in my hands?

                  ¹⁵ Even if he kills me, I’ll trust him;

                        but I’ll still defend myself to him.

                  ¹⁶ That will also be to my salvation

                        because godless people can’t approach him.

                  ¹⁷ Listen carefully to what I’m saying;

                        let what I’m claiming fill your minds.

                  ¹⁸ I’ve prepared my case;

                        I know I’ll be acquitted.

                  ¹⁹ Will you defeat me in this argument?

If so, I’ll shut up and die.                                      Job 13:13-19

                  ²⁰ “Just grant me two things, God;

                              then I can face you:

                        ²¹ don’t remove your hand from me

                              or let my dread of you terrify me.

                  ²² Then call and I’ll answer;

                        or let me speak, then reply to me.

                  ²³ How many iniquities do I have?

                        Tell me what my rebellions are.

                  ²⁴ Why do you hide from me

                        and treat me like your enemy?

                  ²⁵ Do you make a driven leaf tremble

                        or chase dry chaff?

                  ²⁶ You list bitter accusations against me

                        and charge me with sins from my youth.

                  ²⁷ You put my feet in shackles

                        and hover over the path as I walk.

                  You set a boundary for where I could go

                        ²⁸ while I was decaying like something rotten,    

                        like a moth-eaten shirt.                                        

Job 13:20-28