The Book of JOB - Chapter Thirteen

1  

‘My eyes have seen all this,
    my ears have heard and understood it.

2 

What you know, I also know;
    I am not inferior to you.

3 

But I desire to speak to the Almighty
    and to argue my case with God.

4 

You, however, smear me with lies;
    you are worthless physicians, all of you!

5 

If only you would be altogether silent!
    For you, that would be wisdom.

6 

Hear now my argument;
    listen to the pleas of my lips.

7 

Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf?
    Will you speak deceitfully for him?

8 

Will you show him partiality?
    Will you argue the case for God?

9 

Would it turn out well if he examined you?
    Could you deceive him as you might deceive a mortal?

10 

He would surely call you to account
    if you secretly showed partiality.

11 

Would not his splendour terrify you?
    Would not the dread of him fall on you?

12 

Your maxims are proverbs of ashes;
    your defences are defences of clay.

13 

‘Keep silent and let me speak;
    then let come to me what may.

14 

Why do I put myself in jeopardy
    and take my life in my hands?

15 

Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him;
    I will surely defend my ways to his face.

16 

Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance,
    for no godless person would dare come before him!

17 

Listen carefully to what I say;
    let my words ring in your ears.

18 

Now that I have prepared my case,
    I know I will be vindicated.

19 

Can anyone bring charges against me?
    If so, I will be silent and die.

20 

‘Only grant me these two things, God,
    and then I will not hide from you:

21 

withdraw your hand far from me,
    and stop frightening me with your terrors.

22 

Then summon me and I will answer,
    or let me speak, and you reply to me.

23 

How many wrongs and sins have I committed?
    Show me my offence and my sin.

24 

Why do you hide your face
    and consider me your enemy?

25 

Will you torment a wind-blown leaf?
    Will you chase after dry chaff?

26 

For you write down bitter things against me
    and make me reap the sins of my youth.

27 

You fasten my feet in shackles;
    you keep close watch on all my paths
    by putting marks on the soles of my feet.

28 

‘So man wastes away like something rotten,
    like a garment eaten by moths.

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READINGS

The Book Of JOB

Chapter Thirteen

Read by David Suchet

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OVERVIEW 

The Book Of JOB

Overview

(The Bible Project)

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STUDIES 

The Book Of JOB

David Pawson

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The Book of JOB - Chapter Twelve

1

Then Job replied:

2 

‘Doubtless you are the only people who matter,
    and wisdom will die with you!

3 

But I have a mind as well as you;
    I am not inferior to you.
    Who does not know all these things?

4 

‘I have become a laughing-stock to my friends,
    though I called on God and he answered –
    a mere laughing-stock, though righteous and blameless!

5 

Those who are at ease have contempt for misfortune
    as the fate of those whose feet are slipping.

6 

The tents of marauders are undisturbed,
    and those who provoke God are secure –
    those whom God has in his hand.

7 

‘But ask the animals, and they will teach you,
    or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you;

8 

or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,
    or let the fish in the sea inform you.

9 

Which of all these does not know
    that the hand of the Lord has done this?

10 

In his hand is the life of every creature
    and the breath of all mankind.

11 

Does not the ear test words
    as the tongue tastes food?

12 

Is not wisdom found among the aged?
    Does not long life bring understanding?

13 

‘To God belong wisdom and power;
    counsel and understanding are his.

14 

What he tears down cannot be rebuilt;
    those he imprisons cannot be released.

15 

If he holds back the waters, there is drought;
    if he lets them loose, they devastate the land.

16 

To him belong strength and insight;
    both deceived and deceiver are his.

17 

He leads rulers away stripped
    and makes fools of judges.

18 

He takes off the shackles put on by kings
    and ties a loincloth round their waist.

19 

He leads priests away stripped
    and overthrows officials long established.

20 

He silences the lips of trusted advisors
    and takes away the discernment of elders.

21 

He pours contempt on nobles
    and disarms the mighty.

22 

He reveals the deep things of darkness
    and brings utter darkness into the light.

23 

He makes nations great, and destroys them;
    he enlarges nations, and disperses them.

24 

He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason;
    he makes them wander in a trackless waste.

25 

They grope in darkness with no light;
    he makes them stagger like drunkards.

-=-=-=-=-
READINGS

The Book Of JOB

Chapter Twelve

Read by David Suchet

-=-=-=-

OVERVIEW 

The Book Of JOB

Overview

(The Bible Project)

-=-=-=-=-

STUDIES 

The Book Of JOB

David Pawson

-=-=-=-=- 

-=-=-=-=-

A Man Named JOB- Song

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