Job 13:5-23
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 13
5Oh that you would be completely silent, And that it would become your wisdom! 6Please hear my argument, And give your attention to the contentions of my lips. 7Will you speak what is unjust for God, And speak what is deceitful for Him? 8Will you show partiality for Him? Will you contend for God? 9 Will it go well when He examines you? Or will you deceive Him as one deceives a man? 10He will certainly punish you If you secretly show partiality. 11Will His majesty not terrify you, And the dread of Him fall upon you? 12Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defenses are defenses of clay. 13'Be silent before me so that I may speak; Then let come upon me what may. 14Why should I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hands? 15Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him. 16This also will be my salvation, For a godless person cannot come before His presence. 17Listen carefully to my speech, And let my declaration fill your ears. 18Behold now, I have prepared my case; I know that I will be vindicated. 19Who could contend with me? For then I would be silent and die. 20'Only two things I ask that You do not do to me, Then I will not hide from Your face: 21Remove Your hand from me, And may the dread of You not terrify me. 22Then call and I will answer; Or let me speak, then reply to me. 23How many are my guilty deeds and sins? Make known to me my wrongdoing and my sin.King James Version
Chapter 13
5O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom. 6Hear now my reasoning, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips. 7Will ye speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for him? 8Will ye accept his person? will ye contend for God? 9Is it good that he should search you out? or as one man mocketh another, do ye so mock him? 10He will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly accept persons. 11Shall not his excellency make you afraid? and his dread fall upon you? 12Your remembrances are like unto ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay.
13Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what will.
14Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand?
15Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
16He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him.
17Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears.
18Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified.
19Who is he that will plead with me? for now, if I hold my tongue, I shall give up the ghost.
20Only do not two things unto me: then will I not hide myself from thee.
21Withdraw thine hand far from me: and let not thy dread make me afraid.
22Then call thou, and I will answer: or let me speak, and answer thou me.
Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 13
5If only you would shut up and let that be your wisdom! 6Hear now my argument, and listen to my defense. 7Would you testify unjustly on God's behalf or speak deceitfully for him? 8Would you show partiality to him or argue the case in his defense? 9Would it go well if he examined you? Could you deceive him as you would deceive a man? 10Surely he would rebuke you if you secretly showed partiality. 11Would God's majesty not terrify you? Would his dread not fall on you?
12Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ash; your defenses are made of clay.
13Be quiet, and I will speak. Let whatever comes happen to me.
14I will put myself at risk and take my life in my own hands.
15Even if he kills me, I will hope in him. I will still defend my ways before him.
16Yes, this will result in my deliverance, for no godless person can appear before him.
17Pay close attention to my words; let my declaration ring in your ears.
18Now then, I have prepared my case; I know that I am right.
19Can anyone indict me? If so, I will be silent and die.
20Only grant these two things to me, God, so that I will not have to hide from your presence:
21remove your hand from me, and do not let your terror frighten me.
22Then call, and I will answer, or I will speak, and you can respond to me.
23How many iniquities and sins have I committed? Reveal to me my transgression and sin.
New Living Translation
Chapter 13
5If only you could be silent! That’s the wisest thing you could do. 6Listen to my charge; pay attention to my arguments.
7'Are you defending God with lies? Do you make your dishonest arguments for his sake?
8Will you slant your testimony in his favor? Will you argue God’s case for him?
9What will happen when he finds out what you are doing? Can you fool him as easily as you fool people?
10No, you will be in trouble with him if you secretly slant your testimony in his favor.
11Doesn’t his majesty terrify you? Doesn’t your fear of him overwhelm you?
12Your platitudes are as valuable as ashes. Your defense is as fragile as a clay pot.
13'Be silent now and leave me alone. Let me speak, and I will face the consequences.
14Why should I put myself in mortal danger and take my life in my own hands?
15God might kill me, but I have no other hope. I am going to argue my case with him.
16But this is what will save me — I am not godless. If I were, I could not stand before him.
English Standard Version
Chapter 13
5Oh that you would keep silent, and it would be your wisdom! 6Hear now my argument and listen to the pleadings of my lips. 7Will you speak falsely for God and speak deceitfully for him? 8Will you show partiality toward him? Will you plead the case for God? 9Will it be well with you when he searches you out? Or can you deceive him, as one deceives a man? 10He will surely rebuke you if in secret you show partiality. 11Will not his majesty terrify you, and the dread of him fall upon you? 12Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay. 13“Let me have silence, and I will speak, and let come on me what may. 14Why should I take my flesh in my teeth and put my life in my hand? 15Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face. 16This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him. 17Keep listening to my words, and let my declaration be in your ears. 18Behold, I have prepared my case; I know that I shall be in the right. 19Who is there who will contend with me? For then I would be silent and die. 20Only grant me two things, then I will not hide myself from your face: 21withdraw your hand far from me, and let not dread of you terrify me. 22Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and you reply to me. 23How many are my iniquities and my sins? Make me know my transgression and my sin.New International Version
Chapter 13
5If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom. 6Hear now my argument; listen to the pleas of my lips. 7Will you speak wickedly on God's behalf? Will you speak deceitfully for him? 8Will you show him partiality? Will you argue the case for God? 9Would it turn out well if he examined you? Could you deceive him as you might deceive a mortal? 10He would surely call you to account if you secretly showed partiality. 11Would not his splendor terrify you? Would not the dread of him fall on you?
12Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.
13Keep silent and let me speak; then let come to me what may.
14Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands?
15Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.
16Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless person would dare come before him!
17Listen carefully to what I say; let my words ring in your ears.
18Now that I have prepared my case, I know I will be vindicated.
19Can anyone bring charges against me? If so, I will be silent and die.
20Only grant me these two things, God, and then I will not hide from you:
21Withdraw your hand far from me, and stop frightening me with your terrors.
22Then summon me and I will answer, or let me speak, and you reply to me.
23How many wrongs and sins have I committed? Show me my offense and my sin.
New King James Version
