📖 Job 13
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1
Job Pleads His Cause to God“Indeed, my eyes have seen all this, my ears have heard and understood it.
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2
What you know, I know also; I am not inferior to you!
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3
But I wish to speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God.
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4
But you, however, are inventors of lies; all of you are worthless physicians!
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5
If only you would keep completely silent! For you, that would be wisdom.
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6
“Listen now to my argument, and be attentive to my lips’ contentions.
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7
Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf? Will you speak deceitfully for him?
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8
Will you show him partiality? Will you argue the case for God?
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9
Would it turn out well if he would examine you? Or as one deceives a man would you deceive him?
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10
He would certainly rebuke you if you secretly showed partiality!
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11
Would not his splendor terrify you and the fear he inspires fall on you?
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12
Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.
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13
“Refrain from talking with me so that I may speak; then let come to me what may.
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14
Why do I put myself in peril, and take my life in my hands?
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15
Even if he slays me, I will hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face!
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16
Moreover, this will become my deliverance, for no godless person would come before him.
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17
Listen carefully to my words; let your ears be attentive to my explanation.
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18
See now, I have prepared my case; I know that I am right.
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19
Who will contend with me? If anyone can, I will be silent and die.
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20
Only in two things spare me, O God, and then I will not hide from your face:
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21
Remove your hand far from me and stop making me afraid with your terror.
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22
Then call, and I will answer, or I will speak, and you respond to me.
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23
How many are my iniquities and sins? Show me my transgression and my sin.
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24
Why do you hide your face and regard me as your enemy?
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25
Do you wish to torment a windblown leaf and chase after dry chaff?
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26
For you write down bitter things against me and cause me to inherit the sins of my youth.
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27
And you put my feet in the stocks and you watch all my movements; you put marks on the soles of my feet.
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28
So I waste away like something rotten, like a garment eaten by moths.