Job Answers His Friends
Job calls his friends worthless physicians who whitewash with lies, and warns that God will not thank them for taking his side dishonestly. He wants to argue his case with God himself: though he slay me, I will hope in him. Then, why hide your face?
13 1"Look, 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. 3But I would speak to the Almighty, and I long to argue my case with God. 4But you whitewash with lies; you are all worthless physicians. 5If only you would be utterly silent—that would be your wisdom! 6Now hear my argument, and listen to the plea of my lips. 7Will you speak falsely for God and speak deceitfully for him? 8Will you show him partiality? Will you argue the case for God? 9Would it go well with you when he examines you? Or could you deceive him the way you would deceive a man? 10He will surely rebuke you if you secretly show partiality. 11Will not his majesty terrify you, and the dread of him fall upon you? 12Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are made of clay.
13"Be silent before me, and let me speak; let whatever comes fall on me. 14Why should I put my own flesh at risk and take my life in my own hands? 15Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will defend my ways to his face. a a v15 Even in his protest, Job's trust reaches toward God. The full relational breakthrough comes later — Job sees our Father face to face at the end of the book. 16This too will be my deliverance, for no godless person would dare come before him. 17Listen carefully to my words; let my declaration reach your ears. 18Look, 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 grant me two things, and then I will not hide myself from your face: 21Withdraw your hand far from me, and do not let the dread of you terrify me. 22Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and you reply to me. 23How many are my wrongs and my sins? Show me my rebellion and my sin. 24Why do you hide your face and count me as your enemy? 25Will you frighten a wind-driven leaf and chase after dry chaff? 26For you write bitter things against me and make me inherit the sins 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.
28"So man wastes away like rotting wood, like a garment eaten by moths."
