Book of Job, Chapter 13
Job 13 NWT - New World TranslationChapter 13 of Job—New World Translation (NWT)
- ¶ “Look! All this my eye has seen,
My ear has heard and considers it. - ¶ What YOU men know I myself well know also;
I am not inferior to YOU.[a]1 - ¶ However, I, for my part, would speak to the Almighty himself,2
And in arguing with God[b] I would find delight. - ¶ On the other hand, YOU men are smearers of falsehood;3
All of YOU are physicians of no value.4 - ¶ If only YOU would absolutely keep silent,
That it might prove to be wisdom on YOUR part!5 - ¶ Hear, please, my counterarguments,6
And to the pleadings of my lips pay attention. - ¶ Will YOU men speak unrighteousness for God himself,
And for him will YOU speak deceit?7 - ¶ Will YOU be treating him with partiality,8
Or for the [true] God will YOU contend at law? - ¶ Would it be good that he sound YOU out?9
Or as one trifles with mortal man will YOU trifle with him? - ¶ He will positively reprove YOU10
If in secrecy YOU try to show partiality;[c]11 - ¶ Will not his very dignity make YOU start up with fright,
And the very dread of him fall upon YOU?12 - ¶ YOUR memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes;
YOUR shield bosses[d] are as shield bosses of clay.13 - ¶ KEEP silent before me, that I myself may speak.
Then let come upon me whatever it may be! - ¶ Why do I carry my flesh in my teeth
And place my own soul[e] in my palm?14 - ¶ Even if he would slay me, would I not wait?[f]15
I would only argue to his face for my own ways. - ¶ He[g] would also be my salvation,16
For before him no apostate will come in.17 - ¶ HEAR my word clear through,18
And let my declaration be in YOUR ears. - ¶ Look! Please, I have presented a case of justice;19
I well know that I myself am in the right. - ¶ Who is the one that will contend with me?20
For now were I to become silent I should simply expire! - ¶ Only two things do not do[h] to me;
In that case I shall not conceal myself just on your account;21 - ¶ Put your own hand far away from upon me,
And the fright of you—may it not terrify me.22 - ¶ Either call that I myself may answer;
Or may I speak, and you return me answer. - ¶ In what way do I have errors and sins?
Make me to know my own revolt and my own sin. - ¶ Why do you conceal your very face23
And regard me as an enemy of yours?24 - ¶ Will you make a mere leaf driven about quiver,
Or keep chasing after mere dry stubble? - ¶ For you keep writing against me bitter things25
And you make me possess [the consequences of] the errors of my youth.26 - ¶ You also keep my feet put in the stocks,27
And you watch all my paths;
For the soles[i] of my feet you mark your own line. - ¶ And he[j] is like something rotten[k] that wears out;28
Like a garment that a moth actually eats up.29
FOOTNOTES
- ^ See 12:3 ftn.
- ^ “God.” Heb., ʼEl.
- ^ “Show partiality,” M; TSyVg, “treat him with partiality.”
- ^ Or, “your breastworks.”
- ^ “And . . . my own soul.” Heb., wenaph·shiʹ; Gr., psy·khenʹ; Lat., aʹni·mam. Compare Jg 12:3; 1Sa 19:5.
- ^ Or, “I would not wait,” M; MmarginTSyVg, “for him I would wait.”
- ^ Or, “That.”
- ^ “Do.” The Heb. verb is sing. to agree with “you” and “your(s)” addressed to God in vss 20-27.
- ^ Lit., “roots of.”
- ^ “He,” that is, Job.
- ^ “Something rotten (rottenness),” MVg; LXX, “skin bag”; Sy, “leather bag.”
REFERENCES
- ^ Jb 12:3; 2Co 11:5
- ^ Jb 23:3; 29:4; 31:35
- ^ Ps 119:69
- ^ Jb 6:21; 16:2; Je 6:14; Eze 34:4
- ^ Pr 17:28; Jm 1:19
- ^ Pr 18:13
- ^ Je 14:14
- ^ Pr 24:23
- ^ Ps 139:23; Je 17:10
- ^ Ps 50:21
- ^ Ps 82:2; Jm 2:9
- ^ Ne 5:9
- ^ Jb 4:19
- ^ Jg 12:3; 1Sa 19:5; Ps 119:109
- ^ Jb 19:25; Ps 23:4
- ^ Ex 15:2; Ps 27:1; Is 12:2
- ^ Jb 8:13; 27:8; 36:13; Ps 24:3; Is 33:14
- ^ Pr 18:13
- ^ 1Co 10:12
- ^ Jb 33:6; Is 50:8
- ^ Jb 33:7
- ^ Jb 9:34; Ps 119:120; Heb 10:31
- ^ Ps 10:1; 13:1; 44:24
- ^ La 2:5
- ^ De 32:32; Ru 1:20; Jb 16:9; 19:11; 33:10
- ^ Ps 25:7; Je 31:19
- ^ Jb 33:11
- ^ Ho 5:12
- ^ Ps 39:11; Is 50:9; Jm 5:2
Read Job Chapter 13 in other Bible versions:
