2.1 KiB
Job Defends Himself
Chapter 13
-
"Behold, my eye has seen all this, My ear has heard and understood it.
-
What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.
-
But I would speak to the Almighty, And I desire to reason with God.
-
But you forgers of lies, You are all worthless physicians.
-
Oh, that you would be silent, And it would be your wisdom!
-
Now hear my reasoning, And heed the pleadings of my lips.
-
Will you speak wickedly for God, And talk deceitfully for Him?
-
Will you show partiality for Him? Will you contend for God?
-
Will it be well when He searches you out? Or can you mock Him as one mocks a man?
-
He will surely rebuke you If you secretly show partiality.
-
Will not His excellence make you afraid, And the dread of Him fall upon you?
-
Your platitudes are proverbs of ashes, Your defenses are defenses of clay.
-
"Hold your peace with me, and let me speak, Then let come on me what may!
-
Why do I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hands?
-
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.
-
He also shall be my salvation, For a hypocrite could not come before Him.
-
Listen carefully to my speech, And to my declaration with your ears.
-
See now, I have prepared my case, I know that I shall be vindicated.
-
Who is he who will contend with me? If now I hold my tongue, I perish. Job's Despondent Prayer
-
"Only two things do not do to me, Then I will not hide myself from You:
-
Withdraw Your hand far from me, And let not the dread of You make me afraid.
-
Then call, and I will answer; Or let me speak, then You respond to me.
-
How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me know my transgression and my sin.
-
Why do You hide Your face, And regard me as Your enemy?
-
Will You frighten a leaf driven to and fro? And will You pursue dry stubble?
-
For You write bitter things against me, And make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.
-
You put my feet in the stocks, And watch closely all my paths. You set a limit for the soles of my feet.
-
"Man decays like a rotten thing, Like a garment that is moth-eaten.