Job Prepares His Case 1 Brenton Behold, mine eye has seen these things, and mine ear has heard them . BSB BSB: “Indeed, my eyes have seen all this; my ears have heard and understood.
2 Brenton And I know all that ye too know; and I have not less understanding than you. BSB BSB: What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.
3 Brenton Nevertheless I will speak to the Lord, and I will reason before him, if he will. BSB BSB: Yet I desire to speak to the Almighty and argue my case before God.
4 Brenton But ye are all bad physicians, and healers of diseases. BSB BSB: You, however, smear with lies; you are all worthless physicians.
5 Brenton But would that ye were silent, and it would be wisdom to you in the end. BSB BSB: If only you would remain silent; for that would be your wisdom!
6 Brenton But hear ye the reasoning of my mouth, and attend to the judgment of my lips. BSB BSB: Hear now my argument, and listen to the plea of my lips.
7 Brenton Do ye not speak before the Lord, and utter deceit before him? BSB BSB: Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf or speak deceitfully for Him?
8 Brenton Or will ye draw back? nay, do ye yourselves be judges. BSB BSB: Would you show Him partiality or argue in His defense?
9 Brenton For it were well if he would thoroughly search you: for though doing all things in your power ye should attach yourselves to him, BSB BSB: Would it be well when He examined you? Could you deceive Him as you would deceive a man?
10 Brenton he will not reprove you at all the less: but if moreover ye should secretly respect persons, BSB BSB: Surely He would rebuke you if you secretly showed partiality.
11 Brenton shall not his whirlpool sweep you round, and terror from him fall upon you? BSB BSB: Would His majesty not terrify you? Would the dread of Him not fall upon you?
12 Brenton And your glorying shall prove in the end to you like ashes, and your body like a body of clay. BSB BSB: Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.
13 Brenton Be silent, that I may speak, and cease from mine anger, BSB BSB: Be silent, and I will speak. Then let come to me what may.
14 Brenton while I may take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand. BSB BSB: Why do I put myself at risk and take my life in my own hands?
15 Brenton Though the Mighty One should lay hand upon me, forasmuch as he has begun, verily I will speak, and plead before him. BSB BSB: Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. I will still defend my ways to His face.
16 Brenton And this shall turn to me for salvation; for fraud shall have no entrance before him. BSB BSB: Moreover, this will be my salvation, for no godless man can appear before Him.
17 Brenton Hear, hear ye my words, for I will declare in your hearing. BSB BSB: Listen carefully to my words; let my declaration ring in your ears.
18 Brenton Behold, I am near my judgment: I know that I shall appear evidently just. BSB BSB: See now, I have prepared my case; I know that I will be vindicated.
19 Brenton For who is he that shall plead with me, that I should now be silent, and expire? BSB BSB: Can anyone indict me? If so, I will be silent and die.
20 Brenton But grant me two things: then I will not hide myself from thy face. BSB BSB: Only grant these two things to me, so that I need not hide from You:
21 Brenton Withhold thine hand from me: and let not thy fear terrify me. BSB BSB: Withdraw Your hand from me, and do not let Your terror frighten me.
22 Brenton Then shalt thou call, and I will hearken to thee: or thou shalt speak, and I will give thee an answer. BSB BSB: Then call me, and I will answer, or let me speak, and You can reply.
23 Brenton How many are my sins and my transgressions? teach me what they are. BSB BSB: How many are my iniquities and sins? Reveal to me my transgression and sin.
24 Brenton Wherefore hidest thou thyself from me, and deemest me thine enemy? BSB BSB: Why do You hide Your face and consider me as Your enemy?
25 Brenton Wilt thou be startled at me , as at a leaf shaken by the wind? or wilt thou set thyself against me as against grass borne upon the breeze? BSB BSB: Would You frighten a windblown leaf? Would You chase after dry chaff?
26 Brenton For thou hast written evil things against me, and thou hast compassed me with the sins of my youth. BSB BSB: For You record bitter accusations against me and bequeath to me the iniquities of my youth.
27 Brenton And thou hast placed my foot in the stocks; and thou hast watched all my works, and hast penetrated to my heels. BSB BSB: You put my feet in the stocks and stand watch over all my paths; You set a limit for the soles of my feet.
28 Brenton I am as that which waxes old like a bottle, or like a moth-eaten garment.BSB BSB: So man wastes away like something rotten, like a moth-eaten garment.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.