Job 13
Job asserts his understanding and knowledge are equal to those of his friends, and he desires to argue with God directly. Job criticizes his friends for speaking deceitfully on God's behalf and for trying to justify God's actions. He asks God to reveal his sins and offenses, and to explain why he is being punished, as he is willing to correct his ways and hopes for salvation. Job feels God is treating him harshly, like a leaf blown away by the wind, and that his life is being consumed by suffering.
1Behold, my eye has seen all these things, and my ear has heard, and I have understood each one2In conformity with your knowledge, I also know. I am not inferior to you3Yet I speak this way to the Almighty, and I desire to argue with God4having first shown that you fabricate lies and cultivate perverse teachings5And I wish that you would remain silent, so that you would be counted among the wise6Therefore, listen to my correction, and pay attention to the judgment of my lips7Does God require your lie, so that you would speak deceitfully for him8Have you taken his place, and do you struggle to give judgment in favor of God9Or, will it please him, from whom nothing can be concealed? Or, will he be deceived, like a man, by your deceitfulness10He will accuse you because in secret you have preempted his presence11As soon as he moves himself, he will disturb you, and his dread will fall over you12Your remembrance will be compared to ashes, and your necks will be reduced to clay13Be silent for a little while, so that I may speak whatever my mind suggests to me14Why do I wound my flesh with my teeth, and carry my soul in my hands15And now, if he would kill me, I will hope in him; in this, truly, I will correct my ways in his sight16And he will be my savior, for no hypocrite at all will approach in his sight17Listen to my words, and perceive an enigma with your ears18If I will be judged, I know that I will be found to be just19Who is it that will go to judgment with me? Let him approach. Why should I be consumed in silence20Do not do such things to me twice, and then I will not hide from your face21Take your hand far away from me, and do not let your dread terrify me22Call me, and I will answer you, or else I will speak, and you can answer me23How many iniquities and sins do I have? Reveal my crimes and offenses to me24Why do you conceal your face and consider me to be your enemy25Against a leaf, which is carried away by the wind, you reveal your power, and you pursue dry straw26For you write bitter things against me, and you want to consume me for the sins of my youth27You have put my feet on a tether, and you have observed all my paths, and you have considered the steps of my feet28I will be left to decay like something rotten and like a garment that is being eaten by moths
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