Job 13

₁I know and understand

every bit of this.

₂None of you are cleverer

than I am;

there's nothing you know

that I don't.

₃But I prefer to argue my case

with God All-Powerful—

₄you are merely useless doctors,

who treat me with lies.

₅The wisest thing you can do

is to keep quiet ₆and listen

to my argument.

₇Are you telling lies for God

₈and not telling the whole truth

when you argue his case?

₉If he took you to court,

could you fool him,

just as you fool others?

₁₀If you were secretly unfair,

he would correct you,

₁₁and his glorious splendour

would make you terrified.

₁₂Your wisdom and arguments

are as delicate as dust.

₁₃Be quiet while I speak,

then say what you will.

₁₄I will be responsible

for what happens to me.

₁₅God may kill me, but still

I will trust him

and offer my defence.

₁₆This may be what saves me,

because no guilty person

would come to his court.

₁₇Listen carefully to my words!

₁₈I have prepared my case well,

and I am certain to win.

₁₉If you can prove me guilty,

I will give up and die.

₂₀I ask only two things

of you, my God,

and I will no longer

hide from you—

₂₁stop punishing

and terrifying me!

₂₂Then speak, and I will reply;

or else let me speak,

and you reply.

₂₃Please point out my sins,

so I will know them.

₂₄Why have you turned your back

and count me your enemy?

₂₅Do you really enjoy

frightening a fallen leaf?

₂₆Why do you accuse me

of horrible crimes

and make me pay for sins

I did in my youth?

₂₇You have tied my feet down

and keep me surrounded;

₂₈I am rotting away like cloth

eaten by worms.