Job 13 Job Begins to Argues His Case “Look, I’ve seen everything; I’ve listened carefully and I understand.

ISV⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ Job Begins to Argues His Case “Look, I’ve seen everything; I’ve listened carefully and I understand. ² What you know, I know, too; I’m not inferior to you. ³ But I want to talk to the Almighty; and I’m determined to argue my case before God.”
⁴ Job Accuses His Friends“But as for you, you whitewash with lies; all of you are worthless quacks. ⁵ I wish you’d all just shut up. Then at least you would appear to be wise. ⁶ “Now listen to my dispute! Pay attention to my arguments. ⁷ Why do you speak falsely on God’s behalf and speak deceitfully about him? ⁸ Will you show partiality to him? Will you plead God’s case? ⁹ Will things go well for you under his cross-examination? Can you lie to him, as you would to a human being? ¹⁰ “He will be sure to rebuke you, if you show partiality in secret. ¹¹ His splendor will petrify you with terror, paralyzing you with fear, won’t it? ¹² Your maxims are just worthless proverbs; your defensive arguments are made of clay.”
¹³ Job Resolves to Present His Case“Don’t talk to me! It’s my turn to speak; then whatever happens, happens. ¹⁴ Why shouldn’t I bite my flesh or take my life in my hands? ¹⁵ Even though he kills me, I’ll continue to hope in him. At least I’ll be able to argue my case to his face! ¹⁶ I have this as my salvation: the godless person won’t be appearing before him. ¹⁷ Pay attention to what I have to say and listen to my testimony with your own ears.”
¹⁸ Job Presents His Conditions“Look, now! I’ve prepared my case for court. I know that I’m going to win. ¹⁹ Who can oppose me? If they do, I’ll be silent and die. ²⁰ Grant me only two things as you deal with me; then I won’t hide from you. ²¹ Withdraw your hand far from me and keep me from being petrified with terror. ²² Then call and I’ll answer, or let me speak and then you reply to me!”
²³ Job Presents Himself for Cross-Examination“How many of my iniquities and sins have you counted? Show me my transgression and sin. ²⁴ Why do you hide your face and regard me as your enemy? ²⁵ Are you a god who would make a leaf tremble or who would prosecute a dry straw? ²⁶ You’ve accused me of bitter things; you’ve caused me to reap the sins of my youth. ²⁷ You’ve locked my feet in stocks; you watch all my steps; You’ve limited where I can walk. ²⁸ So I’m a man who wears out like something rotten, like a garment that has become moth-eaten.”