HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 830
JOB 13
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He leads priests away, stripped of status;
he overthrows those with long years in
power.
He silences the trusted adviser
and removes the insight of the elders.
He pours disgrace upon princes
and disarms the strong.
16
But this is what will save me—I am not
godless.
If I were, I could not stand before him.
17
“He uncovers mysteries hidden in darkness;
he brings light to the deepest gloom.
He builds up nations, and he destroys
them.
He expands nations, and he abandons
them.
He strips kings of understanding
and leaves them wandering in a pathless
wasteland.
They grope in the darkness without a light.
He makes them stagger like drunkards.
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“Listen closely to what I am about to say.
Hear me out.
I have prepared my case;
I will be proved innocent.
Who can argue with me over this?
And if you prove me wrong, I will remain
silent and die.
Job Wants to Argue His Case with God
1 “Look, I have seen all this with my
own eyes
and heard it with my own ears, and now I
understand.
2 I know as much as you do.
You are no better than I am.
3 As for me, I would speak directly to the
Almighty.
I want to argue my case with God himself.
4 As for you, you smear me with lies.
As physicians, you are worthless quacks.
5 If only you could be silent!
That’s the wisest thing you could do.
6 Listen to my charge;
pay attention to my arguments.
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“Are you defending God with lies?
Do you make your dishonest arguments
for his sake?
Will you slant your testimony in his favor?
Will you argue God’s case for him?
What will happen when he finds out what
you are doing?
Can you fool him as easily as you fool
people?
No, you will be in trouble with him
if you secretly slant your testimony in
his favor.
Doesn’t his majesty terrify you?
Doesn’t your fear of him overwhelm you?
Your platitudes are as valuable as ashes.
Your defense is as fragile as a clay pot.
“Be silent now and leave me alone.
Let me speak, and I will face the
consequences.
Why should I put myself in mortal danger*
and take my life in my own hands?
God might kill me, but I have no other
hope.*
I am going to argue my case with him.
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Job Asks How He Has Sinned
20 “O God, grant me these two things,
and then I will be able to face you.
21 Remove your heavy hand from me,
and don’t terrify me with your awesome
presence.
22 Now summon me, and I will answer!
Or let me speak to you, and you reply.
23 Tell me, what have I done wrong?
Show me my rebellion and my sin.
24 Why do you turn away from me?
Why do you treat me as your enemy?
25 Would you terrify a leaf blown by the wind?
Would you chase dry straw?
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“You write bitter accusations against me
and bring up all the sins of my youth.
You put my feet in stocks.
You examine all my paths.
You trace all my footprints.
I waste away like rotting wood,
like a moth-eaten coat.
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“How frail is humanity!
How short is life, how full of
trouble!
We blossom like a flower and then wither.
Like a passing shadow, we quickly
disappear.
Must you keep an eye on such a frail creature
and demand an accounting from me?
Who can bring purity out of an impure
person?
No one!
You have decided the length of our lives.
You know how many months we will live,
and we are not given a minute longer.
So leave us alone and let us rest!
We are like hired hands, so let us finish
our work in peace.
1
“Even a tree has more hope!
If it is cut down, it will sprout again
and grow new branches.
Though its roots have grown old in the earth
and its stump decays,
at the scent of water it will bud
and sprout again like a new seedling.
13:14 Hebrew Why should I take my flesh in my teeth.
13:15 An alternate reading in the Masoretic Text reads God
might kill me, but I hope in him.