1 Look, my eyes have seen all this;
my ears s have heard and understood it.
2 Everything you know, I also know;
I am not inferior to you. t
3 Yet I prefer to speak to the Almighty
and argue my case before God. u
4 You use lies like plaster;
you are all worthless healers. v
5 If only you would shut up
and let that be your wisdom!
6 Hear now my argument,
and listen to my defense.
7 Would you testify unjustly on God’s behalf
or speak deceitfully for him?
8 Would you show partiality w to him
or argue the case in his defense?
9 Would it go well if he examined you?
Could you deceive him as you would deceive a man? x
10 Surely he would rebuke you
if you secretly showed partiality.
11 Would God’s majesty not terrify you? y
Would his dread not fall on you?
12 Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ash; z
your defenses are made of clay.
13 Be quiet, and I will speak.
Let whatever comes happen to me.
14 I will put myself at risk
and take my life in my own hands.
15 Even if he kills me, I will hope in him.
I will still defend a my ways before him.
16 Yes, this will result in my deliverance,
for no godless person b can appear before him.
17 Pay close attention to my words;
let my declaration ring in your ears.
18 Now then, I have prepared my case; c
I know that I am right.
19 Can anyone indict me?
If so, I will be silent and die.
20 Only grant these two things to me, God,
so that I will not have to hide from your presence:
21 remove your hand from me,
and do not let your terror frighten me. d
22 Then call, and I will answer, e
or I will speak, and you can respond to me.
23 How many iniquities f and sins have I committed?
Reveal to me my transgression and sin.
24 Why do you hide your face
and consider me your enemy? g
25 Will you frighten a wind-driven leaf?
Will you chase after dry straw?
26 For you record bitter accusations against me
and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.
27 You put my feet in the stocks
and stand watch over all my paths,
setting a limit for the soles of my feet.
28 A person wears out like something rotten,
like a moth-eaten garment. h
13:1–12. Job has lost all confidence in his friends, so he expresses his fervent desire for God to hear his case (13:3; cf. Ac 25:11), because he believes that God will respond to him differently than how the friends have. The friends started out well, sitting with Job in silence (2:13), but as they began to speak, they became like quacks (13:4), making an inaccurate diagnosis and prescribing a treatment that does not apply to Job’s ailment. Compared to their empty words, silence would sound like wisdom (13:5), because “even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent” (Pr 17:28).
13:13–19. In this transitional section, Job contemplates whether to turn away from his friends to address God, which he will do beginning in 13:20. Job 13:15 contains a difficult textual problem (see the CSB footnote). The reading “I will hope in him” presents Job’s indomitable trust in God (cf. Jms 5:11). In the alternate reading, the Hebrew verb for “hope” could also have the nuance of “wait in silence” (cf. 32:11, 16). In that case, Job is insisting that even if God should kill him, he would not wait in silence but would continue to bring his legal cause before God (13:3, 18). This verse, then, would contrast with verse 19, in which Job says that if anyone can bring charges against him, then he will be silent and die. Although commentators disagree on how verse 15 should be read, Job’s attitude in this section is not hopeful toward God, and in the second line of the verse he resolves to defend himself to God’s face.
13:20–28. Job begins the direct address to God (13:20–14:22) that he has anticipated in verses 3 and 15. Job believes that he cannot argue his case if God exerts undue pressure on him that subverts a fair trial. He therefore asks for two pretrial conditions (13:20–21): God must withdraw from Job his heavy hand of affliction and remove the overwhelming terror that makes Job feel intimidated. What Job values most is communication with God in place of the divine silence he has experienced since his adversity began (13:22). He is willing to take the role of the defendant to answer God’s questions or to assume the role of the plaintiff addressing his complaint against God.