13 Job: Look. I’ve seen it all with my eyes,
        heard and understood it with my ears.
²     What you know, I know, too;
        don’t think I am so far beneath you!

³     Let our differences be clear; I am ready to speak to the Highest One,^[a]
        eagerly wanting to argue my case with God.
⁴     But you! You smear me with lies as if to help,
        but as healers you are worthless.
⁵     Would that you were totally silent.
        At least that would make you seem wise.
⁶     Please, just listen while I reason this out;
        lean in to hear how my lips will plead.
⁷     Will you try to defend God’s cause by telling lies?
        Be deceitful on His behalf?
⁸     Will you show partiality for Him?
        Argue on His behalf?
⁹     How would you fare
        if He searched your soul?
    Do you think you might deceive Him
        as you would any other person?
¹⁰     No. He would bring charges against you
        even if you secretly show partiality.
¹¹     Aren’t you horrified at the weight of His majesty?
        Isn’t the dread of Him enough to drop you where you stand?
¹²     All your quoted proverbs turn to ash;
        your clever comebacks crumble like brittle towers of clay.

¹³     So keep your mouths shut around me, and let me speak to God.
        And whatever may come, let it come.
¹⁴     Why should I lay my body at the mercy of the words of my own mouth
        or risk my life with only my own hands to defend me?
¹⁵     Look, He may well kill me,
        but I will hope in Him.
        Still I will be ready to argue my case before His very face.
¹⁶     In fact, this will become my salvation,
        for the godless wouldn’t even dare to approach Him.
¹⁷     So then here is my account. Listen carefully!
        Give me a chance to share my side of the story with you.
¹⁸     My case is prepared, and I am confident
        I will be found righteous.
¹⁹     And yet who will meet me in court to argue the other side?
        If I am out-argued, then I will stay mute until I die.

²⁰     Lord, I ask only two concessions in this case;
        if You grant them, I will not hide from Your face.
²¹     First, remove Your damaging hand from me;
        second don’t intimidate me anymore with your terrifying presence.
²²     Then send me Your summons, and I will reply,
        or better yet, I will speak first and then You answer me.
²³     How many counts do You have against me?
        How many sins must I account for?
        Spell out the nature of Your indictment against my rebellious ways.
²⁴     Why do You hide Your face from me;
        why is my name now “nemesis”^[b] to You?
²⁵     Would You waste Your energy to terrify a windblown leaf,
        or chase down the dry chaff as it tumbles in the breeze?
²⁶     For I see bitter accusations against me written in Your own hand;
        You call me to account for the guilt of my youth.
²⁷     You fasten shackles at my ankles but still keep close watch on where I walk,
        marking the places where my feet may plant themselves.
²⁸     This is how a person wastes away to nothing,
        like something rotten, like moth-eaten clothing.