Job persists in maintaining his innocence: and reproves his friends.
13:1. Behold my eye hath seen all these things, and my ear hath heard
them, and I have understood them all.
13:2. According to your knowledge I also know: neither am I inferior to
you.
13:3. But yet I will speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with
God.
13:4. Having first shewn that you are forgers of lies, and maintainers
of perverse opinions.
13:5. And I wish you would hold your peace, that you might be thought
to be wise men.
13:6. Hear ye therefore my reproof, and attend to the judgment of my
lips.
13:7. Hath God any need of your lie, that you should speak deceitfully
for him?
13:8. Do you accept this person, and do you endeavour to judge for God?
13:9. Or shall it please him, from whom nothing can be concealed? or
shall he be deceived as a man, with your deceitful dealings?
13:10. He shall reprove you, because in secret you accept his person.
13:11. As soon as he shall move himself, he shall trouble you: and his
dread shall fall upon you.
13:12. Your remembrance shall be compared to ashes, and your necks
shall be brought to clay.
13:13. Hold your peace a little while, that I may speak whatsoever my
mind shall suggest to me.
13:14. Why do I tear my flesh with my teeth, and carry my soul in my
hands?
13:15. Although he should kill me, I will trust in him: but yet I will
reprove my ways in his sight.
13:16. And he shall be my saviour: for no hypocrite shall come before
his presence.
13:17. Hear ye my speech, and receive with your ears hidden truths.
13:18. If I shall be judged, I know that I shall be found just.
13:19. Who is he that will plead against me? let him come: why am I
consumed holding my peace?
13:20. Two things only do not to me, and then from thy face I shall not
be hid:
13:21. Withdraw thy hand far from me, and let not thy dread terrify me.
13:22. Call me, and I will answer thee: or else I will speak, and do
thou answer me.
13:23. How many are my iniquities and sins? make me know my crimes and
offenses.
13:24. Why hidest thou thy face, and thinkest me thy enemy?
13:25. Against a leaf, that is carried away with the wind, thou shewest
thy power, and thou pursuest a dry straw.
13:26. For thou writest bitter things against me, and wilt consume me
for the sins of my youth.
13:27. Thou hast put my feet in the stocks, and hast observed all my
paths, and hast considered the steps of my feet:
13:28. Who am to be consumed as rottenness, and as a garment that is
motheaten.