Job 13.17
New International Version

¹ “My eyes have seen all this,
my ears have heard and understood it.

² What you know, I also know;
I am not inferior to you.

³ But I desire to speak to the Almighty
and to argue my case with God.

⁴ You, however, smear me with lies;
you are worthless physicians, all of you!

⁵ If only you would be altogether silent!
For you, that would be wisdom.

⁶ Hear now my argument;
listen to the pleas of my lips.

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 examined you?
Could you deceive him as you might deceive a mortal?

¹⁰ He would surely call you to account
if you secretly showed partiality.

¹¹ Would not his splendor terrify you?
Would not the dread of him fall on you?

¹² Your maxims are proverbs of ashes;
your defenses are defenses of clay.

¹³ “Keep silent and let me speak;
then let come to me what may.

¹⁴ Why do I put myself in jeopardy
and take my life in my hands?

¹⁵ Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him;
I will surely defend my ways to his face.

¹⁶ Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance,
for no godless person would dare come before him!

¹⁷ Listen carefully to what I say;
let my words ring in your ears.

¹⁸ Now that I have prepared my case,
I know I will be vindicated.

¹⁹ Can anyone bring charges against me?
If so, I will be silent and die.

²⁰ “Only grant me these two things, God,
and then I will not hide from you:

²¹ Withdraw your hand far from me,
and stop frightening me with your terrors.

²² Then summon me and I will answer,
or let me speak, and you reply to me.

²³ How many wrongs and sins have I committed?
Show me my offense and my sin.

²⁴ Why do you hide your face
and consider me your enemy?

²⁵ Will you torment a windblown leaf?
Will you chase after dry chaff?

²⁶ For you write down bitter things against me
and make me reap the sins of my youth.

²⁷ You fasten my feet in shackles;
you keep close watch on all my paths
by putting marks on the soles of my feet.

²⁸ “So man wastes away like something rotten,
like a garment eaten by moths.