Job 13 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Job Wants to Argue His Case with God

13 “Look, I have seen all this with my own eyes
and heard it with my own ears, and now I understand.
2 I know as much as you do.
You are no better than I am.
3 As for me, I would speak directly to the Almighty.
I want to argue my case with God himself.
4 As for you, you smear me with lies.
As physicians, you are worthless quacks.
5 If only you could be silent!
That’s the wisest thing you could do.
6 Listen to my charge;
pay attention to my arguments.

7 “Are you defending God with lies?
Do you make your dishonest arguments for his sake?
8 Will you slant your testimony in his favor?
Will you argue God’s case for him?
9 What will happen when he finds out what you are doing?
Can you fool him as easily as you fool people?
10 No, you will be in trouble with him
if you secretly slant your testimony in his favor.
11 Doesn’t his majesty terrify you?
Doesn’t your fear of him overwhelm you?
12 Your platitudes are as valuable as ashes.
Your defense is as fragile as a clay pot.

13 “Be silent now and leave me alone.
Let me speak, and I will face the consequences.
14 Why should I put myself in mortal danger[a]
and take my life in my own hands?
15 God might kill me, but I have no other hope.[b]
I am going to argue my case with him.
16 But this is what will save me—I am not godless.
If I were, I could not stand before him.

17 “Listen closely to what I am about to say.
Hear me out.
18 I have prepared my case;
I will be proved innocent.
19 Who can argue with me over this?
And if you prove me wrong, I will remain silent and die.

Job Asks How He Has Sinned

20 “O God, grant me these two things,
and then I will be able to face you.
21 Remove your heavy hand from me,
and don’t terrify me with your awesome presence.
22 Now summon me, and I will answer!
Or let me speak to you, and you reply.
23 Tell me, what have I done wrong?
Show me my rebellion and my sin.
24 Why do you turn away from me?
Why do you treat me as your enemy?
25 Would you terrify a leaf blown by the wind?
Would you chase dry straw?

26 “You write bitter accusations against me
and bring up all the sins of my youth.
27 You put my feet in stocks.
You examine all my paths.
You trace all my footprints.
28 I waste away like rotting wood,
like a moth-eaten coat.

Footnotes

  1. 13:14 Hebrew Why should I take my flesh in my teeth.
  2. 13:15 An alternate reading in the Masoretic Text reads God might kill me, but I hope in him.

You Might Also Like:

Job 13 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

13 Lo, all -- hath mine eye seen, Heard hath mine ear, and it attendeth to it. 2 According to your knowledge I have known -- also I. I am not fallen more than you. 3 Yet I for the Mighty One do speak, And to argue for God I delight. 4 And yet, ye [are] forgers of falsehood, Physicians of nought -- a...
Read More

Job 13 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

13 Lo! mine eye, saith Job, hath seen all things, and mine ear hath heard (it all); and I understood all things. 2 Even with your knowing, (that) also I know, and I am not lower than ye. (What you know, I also know, and I am not lower than ye.) 3 But nevertheless I shall speak to Almighty God, and I...
Read More

Job 13 - World English Bible (WEB)

13 “Behold, my eye has seen all this. My ear has heard and understood it.2 What you know, I know also. I am not inferior to you. 3 “Surely I would speak to the Almighty. I desire to reason with God.4 But you are forgers of lies. You are all physicians of no value.5 Oh that you would be completely si...
Read More

Job 13 - The Voice (VOICE)

13 Job: Look. I’ve seen it all with my eyes, heard and understood it with my ears.2 What you know, I know, too; don’t think I am so far beneath you! 3 Let our differences be clear; I am ready to speak to the Highest One,[a] eagerly wanting to argue my case with God.4 But you! You smear me with li...
Read More

Job 13 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Job Challenges God13 “Indeed, my eye has seen it all, my ears have heard and understood it.2 What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.3 Still, I desire to speak to Shaddai and to argue my case with God.4 You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless doctors—all of you!5 If only you...
Read More

Job 13 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

13 “Lo, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it.2 What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.3 But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God.4 As for you, you whitewash with lies; worthless physicians are you all.5 Oh that you would keep sil...
Read More

Job 13 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

13 “Lo, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it. 2 What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.3 But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God.4 As for you, you whitewash with lies; worthless physicians are you all.5 Oh that you would keep si...
Read More

Job 13 - New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

13 “Look, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it.2 What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.3 But I would speak to the Almighty,[a] and I desire to argue my case with God.4 As for you, you whitewash with lies; all of you are worthless physicians.5 If you would only ...
Read More

Job 13 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

13 ‘Look, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it.2 What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.3 But I would speak to the Almighty,[a] and I desire to argue my case with God.4 As for you, you whitewash with lies; all of you are worthless physicians.5 If you would only ...
Read More

Job 13 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

13 “Look, my eye has seen all this; my ear has heard and understood it.2 What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.3 But I would speak to the Almighty,[a] and I desire to argue my case with God.(A)4 As for you, you whitewash with lies; all of you are worthless physicians.(B)5 If you would...
Read More

Job 13 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Job Wants to Argue His Case with God13 “Look, I have seen all this with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears, and now I understand.2 I know as much as you do. You are no better than I am.3 As for me, I would speak directly to the Almighty. I want to argue my case with God himself.4 As for you, ...
Read More

Job 13 - New Life Version (NLV)

Job Talks13 “See, my eye has seen all this. My ear has heard and understood it. 2 What you know I also know. I am not less than you. 3 “But I wish to speak to the All-powerful. I want to argue with God. 4 But you cover things with lies. You are doctors of no worth. 5 If only you would be quiet, a...
Read More

Job 13 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Job Defends Himself13 “Behold, my eye has seen all this,My ear has heard and understood it.2 (A)What you know, I also know;I am not inferior to you.3 (B)But I would speak to the Almighty,And I desire to reason with God.4 But you forgers of lies,(C)You are all worthless physicians.5 Oh, that you woul...
Read More

Job 13 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

13 ‘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 altoge...
Read More

Job 13 - New International Version (NIV)

13 “My eyes have seen all this,(A) my ears have heard and understood it.2 What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.(B)3 But I desire to speak to the Almighty(C) and to argue my case with God.(D)4 You, however, smear me with lies;(E) you are worthless physicians,(F) all of you!(G)5 If onl...
Read More

Job 13 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

13 “My eyes have seen everything God has done. My ears have heard it and understood it.2 What you know, I also know. I’m as clever as you are.3 In fact, I long to speak to the Mighty One. I want to argue my case with God.4 But you spread lies about me and take away my good name. If you are trying to...
Read More

Job 13 - New English Translation (NET)

Job Pleads His Cause to God[a]13 “Indeed, my eyes have seen all this,[b]my ears have heard and understood it.2 What you know,[c] I[d] know also;I am not inferior[e] to you!3 But I wish to speak[f] to the Almighty,[g]and I desire to argue[h] my case[i] with God.4 But you, however, are inventors of li...
Read More