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