Job 13
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1“Behold, my eye has seen all this. My ear has heard and understood it. 2What you know, I know also. I am not inferior to you. 3“Surely I would speak to the Almighty. I desire to reason with God. 4But you are forgers of lies. You are all physicians of no value. 5Oh that you would be completely silent! Then you would be wise. 6Hear now my reasoning. Listen to the pleadings of my lips. 7Will you speak unrighteously for God, and talk deceitfully for him? 8Will you show partiality to him? Will you contend for God? 9Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceives a man, will you deceive him? 10He will surely reprove you, if you secretly show partiality. 11Shall not his majesty make you afraid, And his dread fall on you? 12Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defenses are defenses of clay. 13“Be silent, leave me alone, that I may speak. Let come on me what will. 14Why should I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand? 15Behold, he will kill me. I have no hope. Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him. 16This also shall be my salvation, that a godless man shall not come before him. 17Hear diligently my speech. Let my declaration be in your ears. 18See now, I have set my cause in order. I know that I am righteous. 19Who is he who will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and give up the spirit. 20“Only don’t do two things to me; then I will not hide myself from your face: 21withdraw your hand far from me; and don’t let your terror make me afraid. 22Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and you answer me. 23How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me know my disobedience and my sin. 24Why hide you your face, and hold me for your enemy? 25Will you harass a driven leaf? Will you pursue the dry stubble? 26For you write bitter things against me, and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth: 27You also put my feet in the stocks, and mark all my paths. You set a bound to the soles of my feet, 28though I am decaying like a rotten thing, like a garment that is moth-eaten.
World English Bible (public domain)
“"Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face."”
Job 13:15
Summary
In Job chapter 13, Job continues his response to his friends, expressing his desire to plead his case directly before God. He criticizes his friends for being poor comforters and accuses them of speaking falsely on God’s behalf. Job asserts his confidence in his own integrity and readiness to present his arguments before the Almighty, believing that God will ultimately vindicate him. He boldly challenges the notion that his suffering is directly correlated to undisclosed sin. Job conveys a sense of desperation but also a steadfast faith as he declares his willingness to put his life at risk in his quest for answers from God. He pleads for God not to hide from him or overwhelm him with terror while he presents his case.
Key Themes
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