Job 13

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42

13 <1> "I have seen all this before.

I have already heard everything you say.

I understand all of these things.

<2> I know as much as you do.

I am as smart as you are.

<3> But I don't want to argue with you.

I want to speak to God All-Powerful.

I want to argue with God about my troubles.

<4> But you three men try to cover up your ignorance with lies.

You are like worthless doctors who cannot heal anyone.

<5> I wish you would just be quiet.

That would be the wisest thing you could do.

<6> "Now, listen to my argument.

Listen to what I have to say.

<7> Will you speak lies for God?

Do you really believe your lies are what

God wants you to say?

<8> Are you trying to defend God against me?

You are not being fair-

You are choosing God's side simply because he is God.

<9> If God checked you very closely,

would he show you are right?

Do you really think you can fool God

the same as you fool people?

<10> You know God would criticize you

if you chose someone's side in court

simply because that person was important.

<11> God's majesty scares you.

You are afraid of him.

<12> Your arguments are worth nothing.

Your answers are worthless.

<13> "Be quiet and let me talk!

I accept whatever happens to me.

<14> I will put myself in danger,

and take my life in my own hands.

<15> I will continue to trust God

even if he kills me.[31]

But I will defend myself to his face.

<16> And if God lets me live, it will be

because I was brave enough to speak.

No evil person would dare meet God face to face.

<17> Listen carefully to what I say.

Let me explain.

<18> I am ready now to defend myself.

I will carefully present my arguments.

I know I will be shown to be right.

<19> If anyone can prove I am wrong,

I will shut up and wait to die.

<20> "God, just give me two things,

and then I will not hide from you:

<21> Stop punishing me,

and stop scaring me with your terrors.

<22> Then call to me and I will answer you.

Or let me speak, and you answer me.

<23> How many sins have I done?

What have I done wrong?

Show me my sins and my wrongs.

<24> God, why do you avoid me

and treat me like your enemy?

<25> Are you trying to scare me?

I am only a leaf blowing in the wind.

You are attacking a little piece of straw!

<26> God, you say bitter things against me.

Are you making me suffer

for the sins I did when I was young.

<27> You have put chains on my feet.

You watch every step I take.

You watch every move I make.

<28> So I am becoming weaker and weaker

like a piece of wood rotting away,

like a piece of cloth eaten by moths.

© Copyright 2004 World Bible Translation Center.