Job 13 — ULB

13Verse 1See, my eye has seen all this;
my ear has heard and understood it.
^{Verse 2}What you know, the same I also know;
I am not inferior to you.
^{Verse 3}However, I would rather speak with the Almighty;
I wish to reason with God.
^{Verse 4}But you whitewash the truth with lies;
you are all physicians of no value.
^{Verse 5}Oh, that you would altogether hold your peace!
That would be your wisdom.
^{Verse 6}Hear now my own reasoning;
listen to the pleading of my own lips.
^{Verse 7}Will you speak unrighteously for God,
and will you talk deceitfully for him?
^{Verse 8}Will you show him partiality?
Will you argue the case for God?
^{Verse 9}Will it be good for you when he searches you out?
Could you deceive him as you might deceive men?
^{Verse 10}He would surely reprove you
if in secret you showed partiality.
^{Verse 11}Will not his majesty terrify you,
and the dread of him fall upon you?
^{Verse 12}Your memorable sayings are proverbs made of ashes;
your defenses are defenses made of clay.
^{Verse 13}Hold your peace, let me alone, so that I may speak,
let come what may on me.
^{Verse 14}I will take my own flesh in my teeth;
I will take my life in my hands.
^{Verse 15}See, if he kills me, I will have no hope left;
nevertheless, I will defend my ways before him.
^{Verse 16}This will be the reason for my deliverance,
for no godless person would come before him.
^{Verse 17}God, listen carefully to my speech;
let my declaration come to your ears.
^{Verse 18}See now, I have set my defense in order;
I know that I am innocent.
^{Verse 19}Who is the one who would argue against me in court?
If you came to do so, and if I were proved wrong, then I would be silent and give up my life.
^{Verse 20}God, do only two things for me,
and then I will not hide myself from your face:
^{Verse 21}withdraw your oppressive hand from me,
and do not let your terrors make me afraid.
^{Verse 22}Then call me, and I will answer;
or let me speak to you, and you answer me.
^{Verse 23}How many are my iniquities and sins?
Let me know my transgression and my sin.
^{Verse 24}Why do you hide your face from me
and treat me like your enemy?
^{Verse 25}Will you persecute a driven leaf?
Will you pursue dry stubble?
^{Verse 26}For you write down bitter things against me;
you make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.
^{Verse 27}You also put my feet in the stocks;
you closely watch all my paths;
you examine the ground where the soles of my feet have walked
^{Verse 28}although I am like a rotten thing that wastes away,
like a garment that moths have eaten.