Job 13 · Clearspring

Job Prepares His Case

¹“Indeed, my eyes have seen all this; my ears have heard and understood.+ ²What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.+ ³Yet I desire to speak to the Almighty and argue my case before God.+ ⁴You, however, smear with lies; you are all worthless physicians.+ ⁵If only you would remain silent; for that would be your wisdom!+ ⁶Hear now my argument, and listen to the plea of my lips.+ ⁷Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf or speak deceitfully for Him?+ ⁸Would you show Him partiality or argue in His defense?+ ⁹Would it be well when He examined you? Could you deceive Him as you would deceive a man?+ ¹⁰Surely He would rebuke you if you secretly showed partiality.+ ¹¹Would His majesty not terrify you? Would the dread of Him not fall upon you?+ ¹²Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.+ ¹³Be silent, and I will speak. Then let come to me what may.+ ¹⁴Why do I put myself at risk and take my life in my own hands?+ ¹⁵Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. I will still defend my ways to His face.+ ¹⁶Moreover, this will be my salvation, for no godless man can appear before Him.+ ¹⁷Listen carefully to my words; let my declaration ring in your ears.+ ¹⁸See now, I have prepared my case; I know that I will be vindicated.+ ¹⁹Can anyone indict me? If so, I will be silent and die.+ ²⁰Only grant these two things to me, so that I need not hide from You:+ ²¹Withdraw Your hand from me, and do not let Your terror frighten me.+ ²²Then call me, and I will answer, or let me speak, and You can reply.+ ²³How many are my iniquities and sins? Reveal to me my transgression and sin.+ ²⁴Why do You hide Your face and consider me as Your enemy?+ ²⁵Would You frighten a windblown leaf? Would You chase after dry chaff?+ ²⁶For You record bitter accusations against me and bequeath to me the iniquities of my youth.+ ²⁷You put my feet in the stocks and stand watch over all my paths; You set a limit for the soles of my feet.+ ²⁸So man wastes away like something rotten, like a moth-eaten garment.’’+

Job Prepares His Case

Study Job 13