Job 13:3-22
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 13
3'But I would speak to the Almighty, And I desire to argue with God. 4But you smear me with lies; You are all worthless physicians. 5Oh that you would be completely silent, And that it would become your wisdom! 6Please hear my argument, And give your attention to the contentions of my lips. 7Will you speak what is unjust for God, And speak what is deceitful for Him? 8Will you show partiality for Him? Will you contend for God? 9 Will it go well when He examines you? Or will you deceive Him as one deceives a man? 10He will certainly punish you If you secretly show partiality. 11Will His majesty not terrify you, And the dread of Him fall upon you? 12Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defenses are defenses of clay. 13'Be silent before me so that I may speak; Then let come upon me what may. 14Why should I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hands? 15Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him. 16This also will be my salvation, For a godless person cannot come before His presence. 17Listen carefully to my speech, And let my declaration fill your ears. 18Behold now, I have prepared my case; I know that I will be vindicated. 19Who could contend with me? For then I would be silent and die. 20'Only two things I ask that You do not do to me, Then I will not hide from Your face: 21Remove Your hand from me, And may the dread of You not terrify me. 22Then call and I will answer; Or let me speak, then reply to me.King James Version
Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 13
3Yet I prefer to speak to the Almighty and argue my case before God. 4You use lies like plaster; you are all worthless healers.
5If only you would shut up and let that be your wisdom!
6Hear now my argument, and listen to my defense.
7Would you testify unjustly on God’s behalf or speak deceitfully for him?
8Would you show partiality to him or argue the case in his defense?
9Would it go well if he examined you? Could you deceive him as you would deceive a man?
10Surely he would rebuke you if you secretly showed partiality.
11Would God’s majesty not terrify you? Would his dread not fall on you?
12Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ash; your defenses are made of clay.
13Be quiet, and I will speak. Let whatever comes happen to me.
14I will put myself at risk and take my life in my own hands.
15Even if he kills me, I will hope in him. I will still defend my ways before him.
16Yes, this will result in my deliverance, for no godless person can appear before him.
17Pay close attention to my words; let my declaration ring in your ears.
18Now then, I have prepared my case; I know that I am right.
New Living Translation
Chapter 13
3As for me, I would speak directly to the Almighty. I want to argue my case with God himself. 4As for you, you smear me with lies. As physicians, you are worthless quacks. 5If only you could be silent! That’s the wisest thing you could do. 6Listen to my charge; pay attention to my arguments.
7'Are you defending God with lies? Do you make your dishonest arguments for his sake?
8Will you slant your testimony in his favor? Will you argue God’s case for him?
9What will happen when he finds out what you are doing? Can you fool him as easily as you fool people?
10No, you will be in trouble with him if you secretly slant your testimony in his favor.
11Doesn’t his majesty terrify you? Doesn’t your fear of him overwhelm you?
12Your 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.
14Why should I put myself in mortal danger and take my life in my own hands?
15God might kill me, but I have no other hope. I am going to argue my case with him.
16But this is what will save me — I am not godless. If I were, I could not stand before him.
English Standard Version
Chapter 13
3 But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God. 4As for you, you whitewash with lies; worthless physicians are you all. 5Oh that you would keep silent, and it would be your wisdom! 6Hear now my argument and listen to the pleadings of my lips. 7Will you speak falsely for God and speak deceitfully for him? 8Will you show partiality toward him? Will you plead the case for God? 9Will it be well with you when he searches you out? Or can you deceive him, as one deceives a man? 10He will surely rebuke you if in secret you show partiality. 11Will not his majesty terrify you, and the dread of him fall upon you? 12Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay. 13"Let me have silence, and I will speak, and let come on me what may. 14Why should I take my flesh in my teeth and put my life in my hand? 15 Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face. 16This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him. 17 Keep listening to my words, and let my declaration be in your ears. 18Behold, I have prepared my case; I know that I shall be in the right. 19 Who is there who will contend with me? For then I would be silent and die. 20Only grant me two things, then I will not hide myself from your face: 21 withdraw your hand far from me, and let not dread of you terrify me. 22 Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and you reply to me.New International Version
Chapter 13
3But I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God. 4You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you! 5If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom. 6Hear now my argument; listen to the pleas of my lips. 7Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf? Will you speak deceitfully for him? 8Will you show him partiality? Will you argue the case for God? 9Would it turn out well if he examined you? Could you deceive him as you might deceive a mortal? 10He would surely call you to account if you secretly showed partiality. 11Would not his splendor terrify you? Would not the dread of him fall on you?
12Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.
13"Keep silent and let me speak; then let come to me what may.
14Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands?
15Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.
16Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless person would dare come before him!
17Listen carefully to what I say; let my words ring in your ears.
18Now that I have prepared my case, I know I will be vindicated.
New King James Version
