Bible
- 1
- [JOB CONTINUED:] Behold, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it.
- 2
- What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.
- 3
- Surely I wish to speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue and reason my case with God [that He may explain the conflict between what I believe of Him and what I see of Him].
- 4
- But you are forgers of lies [you defame my character most untruthfully]; you are all physicians of no value and have no remedy to offer.
- 5
- Oh, that you would altogether hold your peace! Then you would evidence your wisdom and you might pass for wise men.
- 6
- Hear now my reasoning, and listen to the pleadings of my lips.
- 7
- Will you speak unrighteously for God and talk deceitfully for Him?
- 8
- Will you show partiality to Him [be unjust to me in order to gain favor with Him]? Will you act as special pleaders for God?
- 9
- Would it be profitable for you if He should investigate your tactics [with me]? Or as one deceives and mocks a man, do you deceive and mock Him?
- 10
- He will surely reprove you if you do secretly show partiality.
- 11
- Shall not His majesty make you afraid, and should not your awe for Him restrain you?
- 12
- Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes [valueless]; your defenses are defenses of clay [and will crumble].
- 13
- Hold your peace! Let me alone, so I may speak; and let come on me what may.
- 14
- Why should I take my flesh in my teeth and put my life in my hands [incurring the danger of God's wrath]?
- 15
- [I do it because, though He slay me, yet will I wait for and trust Him and] behold, He will slay me; I have no hope--nevertheless, I will maintain and argue my ways before Him and even to His face.
- 16
- This will be my salvation, that a polluted and godless man shall not come before Him.
- 17
- Listen diligently to my speech, and let my declaration be in your ears.
- 18
- Behold now, I have prepared my case; I know that I shall be justified and vindicated.
- 19
- Who is he who will argue against and refute me? For then I would hold my peace and expire.
- 20
- Only [O Lord] grant two conditions to me, and then will I not hide myself from You:
- 21
- Withdraw Your hand and take this bodily suffering far from me; and let not my [reverent] dread of You terrify me.
- 22
- Then [Lord] call and I will answer, or let me speak, and You answer me.
- 23
- How many are my iniquities and sins [that so much sorrow should come to me]? Make me recognize and know my transgression and my sin. [Rom. 8:1.]
- 24
- Why do You hide Your face [as if offended] and alienate me as if I were Your enemy?
- 25
- Will You harass and frighten a [poor, helpless] leaf driven to and fro, and will You pursue the chaff of the dry stubble?
- 26
- For You write bitter things against me [in Your bill of indictment] and make me inherit and be accountable now for the iniquities of my youth.
- 27
- You put my feet also in the stocks and observe critically all my paths; You set a circle and limit around the soles of my feet [which I must not overstep].
- 28
- And he wastes away as a rotten thing, like a garment that is moth-eaten.
Copyright Information:
Amplified Bible Copyright (c) 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631 All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org
