# Job 13 (New King James Version)
Job Defends Himself

##### Chapter 13
###### 1 "Behold, my eye has seen all _this,_  
My ear has heard and understood it.  

###### 2 What you know, I also know;  
I _am_ not inferior to you.  

###### 3 But I would speak to the Almighty,  
And I desire to reason with God.  

###### 4 But you forgers of lies,  
You _are_ all worthless physicians.  

###### 5 Oh, that you would be silent,  
And it would be your wisdom!  

###### 6 Now hear my reasoning,  
And heed the pleadings of my lips.  

###### 7 Will you speak wickedly for God,  
And talk deceitfully for Him?  

###### 8 Will you show partiality for Him?  
Will you contend for God?  

###### 9 Will it be well when He searches you out?  
Or can you mock Him as one mocks a man?  

###### 10 He will surely rebuke you  
If you secretly show partiality.  

###### 11 Will not His excellence make you afraid,  
And the dread of Him fall upon you?  

###### 12 Your platitudes _are_ proverbs of ashes,  
Your defenses are defenses of clay.

###### 13 "Hold your peace with me, and let me speak,  
Then let come on me what _may!_  

###### 14 Why do I take my flesh in my teeth,  
And put my life in my hands?  

###### 15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.  
Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.  

###### 16 He also _shall_ be my salvation,  
For a hypocrite could not come before Him.  

###### 17 Listen carefully to my speech,  
And to my declaration with your ears.  

###### 18 See now, I have prepared _my_ case,  
I know that I shall be vindicated.  

###### 19 Who _is_ he _who_ will contend with me?  
If now I hold my tongue, I perish.Job's Despondent Prayer

###### 20 "Only two _things_ do not do to me,  
Then I will not hide myself from You:  

###### 21 Withdraw Your hand far from me,  
And let not the dread of You make me afraid.  

###### 22 Then call, and I will answer;  
Or let me speak, then You respond to me.  

###### 23 How many _are_ my iniquities and sins?  
Make me know my transgression and my sin.  

###### 24 Why do You hide Your face,  
And regard me as Your enemy?  

###### 25 Will You frighten a leaf driven to and fro?  
And will You pursue dry stubble?  

###### 26 For You write bitter things against me,  
And make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.  

###### 27 You put my feet in the stocks,  
And watch closely all my paths.  
You set a limit for the soles of my feet.

###### 28 "_Man_ decays like a rotten thing,  
Like a garment that is moth-eaten.