Job Continues

I Know and Understand

1I know and understand

every bit of this.

2None of you are smarter

than I am;

there's nothing you know

that I don't.

3But I prefer to argue my case

with God All-Powerful—

4you are merely useless doctors,

who treat me with lies.

5The wisest thing you can do

is to keep quiet 6and listen

to my argument.

7Are you telling lies for God

8and not telling the whole truth

when you argue his case?

9If he took you to court,

could you fool him,

just as you fool others?

10If you were secretly unfair,

he would correct you,

11and his glorious splendor

would make you terrified.

12Your wisdom and arguments

will blow away like dust.

Be Quiet While I Speak

13Be quiet while I speak,

and we'll see what happens.

14I will be responsible

for what happens to me.

15God may kill me, but still

I will trust him+

and offer my defense.

16This may be what saves me,

because no guilty person

would come to his court.

17Listen carefully to my words!

18I have prepared my case well,

and I am certain to win.

19If you can prove me guilty,

I will give up and die.

Job Prays

I Ask Only Two Things

20I ask only two things

of you, my God,

and I will no longer

hide from you—

21stop punishing

and terrifying me!

22Then speak, and I will reply;

or else let me speak,

and you reply.

23Please point out my sins,

so I will know them.

24Why have you turned your back

and count me your enemy?

25Do you really enjoy

frightening a fallen leaf?

26Why do you accuse me

of horrible crimes

and make me pay for sins

I did in my youth?

27 You have tied my feet down

and keep me surrounded;

28I am rotting away like cloth

eaten by worms.