Job 13

1 “Indeed [truly, lo], my eyes [the ability to see and perceive] have seen [gazed upon, looked after] all [everything, the entirety] this; my ears [the ability to hear and listen] have heard [listened attentively, perceived] and understood [discerned, grasped with the mind]. word study 2 What you know [the same things, according to your knowledge], I also know [am aware of, have understanding]; I am not [by no means, in no way] inferior [less than, not equal] to you [in comparison to, beside]. word study 3 Yet I desire [long to, eagerly want to] to speak [to communicate, to reason] to the Almighty [Shadday, the all-powerful One] and argue [to reason, to plead] my case [my cause, my situation] before [in the presence of, towards] God [El, the strong and mighty One]. word study 4 You, however [in contrast to what is true], smear with lies [deception, falsehood]; you are all [every one of you, completely] worthless [without value, like an idol] physicians [healers, unable to mend or cure, like those giving useless medicines]. word study 5 If only [O that, I wish] you would remain [altogether hold your peace, be completely] silent [keep quiet, hold your tongue]; for that would be [it should be, it would be to you] your [true, divine] wisdom [prudence, good judgment]! word study 6 Hear now [please, I pray] my argument [rebuke, correction], and listen [to hear and obey, give attention] to the plea [strife, dispute] of my lips [language, words]. word study 7 Will you speak [unrighteously, with moral evil] wickedly [with injustice, violent deeds] on God’s [El, the powerful One] behalf or speak [talk deceitfully, with slackness] deceitfully [with remiyah, idle or treacherous intentions] for Him? word study 8 Would you show Him [favoritism, or special treatment] partiality or argue [contend, strive, or plead] in His [God’s, the Almighty’s] defense [on His behalf, for His cause]? word study 9 Would it be [pleasant, beneficial] well when He [God, the Supreme Examiner] examined [searched, investigated] you? Could you deceive [mock, cheat] Him like a [human, mortal] man [with frailties and limitations]? word study 10 Surely He [the Almighty, God] would rebuke [correct, reprove, or argue with] you if you secretly [in hiding, without others knowing] showed partiality [favoritism, accepting persons, or lifting faces] [to certain individuals, or in a biased manner]. word study 11 Would His majesty [excellence, glory] not terrify [make afraid, startle] you? Would the dread [fear, terror] of Him [His presence, His power] not fall [come upon, overwhelm] upon you? word study 12 Your maxims [wise sayings, memorable teachings] are proverbs [comparisons, teachings] of ashes [worthless things]; your defenses [strong places, arguments] are defenses [protections, refuges] of clay [a fragile material, something easily broken]. word study 13 Be silent [hold your peace, keep quiet], and I [as an individual, personally] will speak [communicate, express my thoughts]. Then let come to me [upon me, over me] what may [whatever will happen, any outcome]. word study 14 Why do I [take responsibility for myself] put myself at risk [in my own hands, to endure anything] and take my life [my soul, my very existence] in my own hands [my power, my control]? word study 15 Though He [lo, behold] slay [kill, put to death] me, I will hope [wait, trust] in Him [with confidence, as my Savior]. I will still [nevertheless, yet] defend [maintain, argue for] my ways [path, journey] to [toward, before] His face [presence, sight]. word study 16 Moreover, this will be my salvation [deliverance, victory], for no godless [hypocritical, profane] man can appear [stand, come] before Him [His presence, face]. word study 17 Listen [hear diligently, pay attention] carefully to my words [speech, declaration]; let my declaration [utterance, statement] ring [be heard, resonate] in your ears [with your ears, giving heed]. word study 18 Behold [look, see], now that I have prepared [set in order, arranged] my case [cause, judgment], I know [am certain, have learned] that I will be vindicated [justified, declared righteous, found innocent]. word study 19 Can anyone [who is he that will plead with me] indict me? If so, I will be [hold my tongue, keep silent] silent and [give up the ghost, expire] die. word study 20 Only grant [do not do] these two things [a pair, a duo] to me, so that I need not [will not have to] hide [conceal myself, be hidden] from You [Your face, Your presence]: word study 21 Withdraw [remove, take away] Your hand [palm, the symbol of power and authority] from me, and do not let [prevent] Your terror [dread, fear] frighten [terrify, startle] me [overcome me with fear]. word study 22 Then call [summon, invite] me, and I [as your servant, in humility] will answer [respond, give an account], or let me [allow, permit] speak [communicate, express myself], and You [as my Judge, in wisdom] can reply [respond, give a verdict]. word study 23 How many [what is the number of] are my iniquities [moral evils, sins] and sins [guilt, punishment for sin]? Reveal [make me know, show me] to me my transgression [rebellion, revolt] and sin [guilt, offense]. word study 24 Why [for what reason, on what account] do You hide [conceal, veil] Your face [presence, countenance] and consider [think of, reckon] me as [treat me like, regard me as] Your enemy [adversary, one who opposes You]? word study 25 Would You frighten [harass, terrify] a windblown [driven to and fro] leaf [a leaf on a tree, foliage]? Would You chase [pursue, hunt down] after dry [worthless, without moisture] chaff [stubble, dry straw]? word study 26 For [because of this reason] You record [write down, inscribe] bitter [very harsh, venomous] accusations [charges, complaints] against me and bequeath [give, pass down] to me the iniquities [sins, moral evil] of my youth [early years, young age]. word study 27 You put my feet [in chains, with stocks] in the stocks and stand watch [observe narrowly, keep guard] over all [every, each] my paths; You set [to appoint, establish] a limit [bound, restriction] for the soles [roots, foundation] of my feet [steps, journey]. word study 28 So man [like a garment that is moth-eaten, falling apart] wastes away [consumes, decaying] like something [rottenness] rotten [decaying, consumed by corruption], like a [consumed by larvae] moth-eaten garment. word study