Job Prepares His Case

¹ “Indeed, my eyes have seen all this;

my ears have heard and understood.

² What you know, I also know;

I am not inferior to you.

³ Yet I desire to speak to the Almighty

and argue my case before God.

⁴ You, however, smear with lies;

you are all worthless^* physicians.

⁵ If only you would remain silent;

for that would be your wisdom!

⁶ Hear now my argument,

and listen to the plea of my lips.

⁷ Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf

or speak deceitfully for Him?

⁸ Would you show Him partiality

or argue in His defense?

⁹ Would it be well when He examined you?

Could you deceive Him as you would deceive a man?

¹⁰ Surely He would rebuke you

if you secretly showed partiality.

¹¹ Would His majesty not terrify you?

Would the dread of Him not fall upon you?

¹² Your maxims^* are proverbs^* of ashes;

your defenses^* are defenses^* of clay.

¹³ Be silent, and I will speak.

Then let come to me what may.

¹⁴ Why do I put myself at risk

and take my life in my own hands?

¹⁵ Though He slay me, I will hope in Him.

I will still defend my ways to His face.

¹⁶ Moreover, this will be my salvation,

for no godless man can appear before Him.

¹⁷ Listen carefully to my words;

let my declaration ring in your ears.

¹⁸ See now, I have prepared my case;

I know that I will be vindicated.

¹⁹ Can anyone indict me?

If so, I will be silent and die.

²⁰ Only grant these two things to me,

so that I need not hide from You:

²¹ Withdraw Your hand from me,

and do not let Your terror^* frighten me.

²² Then call me, and I will answer,

or let me speak, and You can reply.

²³ How many are my iniquities and sins?

Reveal to me my transgression and sin.

²⁴ Why do You hide Your face

and consider me as Your enemy?

²⁵ Would You frighten a windblown leaf?

Would You chase after dry chaff?

²⁶ For You record bitter accusations against me

and bequeath to me the iniquities of my youth.

²⁷ You put my feet in the stocks

and stand watch over all my paths;

You set a limit

for the soles of my feet.

²⁸ So man wastes away like something rotten,

like a moth-eaten garment.