Job Prepares His Case

1“ Behold, all this my eye has seen;

my ear has heard and understood it.

2According to your⁺ knowledge, I also know;

I am not falling below you⁺.

3But I wish to speak to Shaddai,†

and to reason with God I desire.

4But you⁺, are plasterers of a lie,

worthless physicians all of you⁺.

5Who will give that you will surely remain silent,

and it will be for wisdom for you⁺.

6Hear now my reasoning,

and be attentive to the quarreling of my lips.

7Will you⁺ speak injustice for God,

and will you⁺ speak deceit for Him?

8Will you⁺ lift His face,

or will you⁺ contend for God?

9Will it be good when He searches you⁺ out?

Or as one mocks a man, can you⁺ mock Him?

10He will surely rebuke you⁺,

if in secrecy you⁺ were lifting faces.

11Will not His excellence terrify you⁺

and the dread of Him fall upon you⁺?

12Your⁺ remembrances are proverbs of ashes;

your⁺ defenses are defenses of clay.

13Keep silent from me, and I will speak,

and let come upon me what may.

14For what do I take up my flesh in my teeth,

and my soul do I set in my palm?

15Behold, He may slay me; unto Him I will hope.†

Indeed, my ways to His face I will defend.

16Even this may be unto me salvation,

for the godless one shall not come in before His face.

17Listen with hearing to my speech,

and may my declaration be in your⁺ ears.

18Behold, now, I have arranged my defense.

I know that I am righteous.

19Who is he who will contend with me?

For then I would be silent and die.

20Only two things may You not do with me;

then from Your face I will not hide myself.

21Withdraw your hand from me,

and do not let Your terror terrify me.

22And call, and I will answer;

or let me speak, and You reply.

23How many are the iniquities and sins for me?

Make me know my transgression and my sin.

24Why do You hide Your face

and consider me as an enemy unto You?

25Would You make tremble a leaf driven away,

and would You pursue dry stubble?

26For You write against me bitter things,

and you make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.

27And You put my feet in the stock,

and You watch all my paths;

upon the soles of my feet

You engrave.

28And he, like a rotten thing, is worn out,

like a garment a moth has eaten.