13
Job Says His Friends’ Proverbs Are Ashes
My ear has heard and understood it.
2 “AJob 12:3What you know I also know;
I am not inferior to you.
And I desire to BJob 13:15argue with God.
4 “But you APs 119:69smear with lies;
You are all BJer 23:32worthless physicians.
5 “O that you would AJob 13:13; 21:5; Prov 17:28be completely silent,
And that it would become your wisdom!
6 “Please hear my argument
And listen to the contentions of my lips.
7 “Will you AJob 27:4speak what is unjust for God,
And speak what is deceitful for Him?
8 “Will you ALev 19:15; Prov 24:23show partiality for Him?
Will you contend for God?
9 “Will it be well when He examines you?
Or AJob 12:16will you deceive Him as one deceives a man?
10 “He will surely reprove you
If you secretly AJob 13:8; 32:21; 34:19show partiality.
And the dread of Him fall on you?
12 “Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes,
Your defenses are defenses of clay.
Job Is Sure He Will Be Vindicated
13 “AJob 13:5Be silent before me so that I may speak;
Then let come on me what may.
14 “Why should I take my flesh in my teeth
And APs 119:109put my life in my 1Lit palmhands?
15 “AJob 7:6Though He slay me,
I will hope in Him.
Nevertheless I BJob 27:5will argue my ways 1Lit to His facebefore Him.
16 “This also will be my AJob 23:7; Is 12:1, 2salvation,
For BJob 34:21-23a godless man may not come before His presence.
17 “Listen carefully to my speech,
And let my declaration fill your ears.
18 “Behold now, I have AJob 23:4prepared my case;
I know that BJob 9:21; 10:7; 12:4I will be vindicated.
19 “AIs 50:8Who will contend with me?
For then I would be silent and BJob 7:21; 10:8die.
20 “Only two things do not do to me,
Then I will not hide from Your face:
And let not the dread of You terrify me.
22 “Then call, and AJob 9:16; 14:15I will answer;
Or let me speak, then reply to me.
23 “AJob 7:21How many are my iniquities and sins?
Make known to me my 1Or transgressionrebellion and my sin.
24 “Why do You APs 13:1; 44:24; 88:14; Is 8:17hide Your face
And consider me BJob 19:11; 33:10; Lam 2:5Your enemy?
25 “Will You cause a ALev 26:36driven leaf to tremble?
Or will You pursue the dry BJob 21:18chaff?
26 “For You write AJob 9:18bitter things against me
And BPs 25:7make me to inherit the iniquities of my youth.
27 “You AJob 33:11put my feet in the stocks
And watch all my paths;
You 1Lit carve forset a limit for the soles of my feet,
Like a garment that is moth-eaten.