Job 13
Job Wants to Argue His Case with God
or
Maxims and Proverbs
based on Job 13
your maxims are proverbs of ashes
Job 13:12
Job 13:12
All I've seen makes it clear, as does all that I hear;
now I know — all my senses agree.
I'm exactly like you — know the same things you do;
as I've said, you're no better than me.
But my hope is that I could yet speak with Shaddai,
and could argue my case before God.
You have come to advise, yet you smear me with lies;
as physicians, you're nothing but frauds.
If you’d shut up and sit and be quiet a bit,
in the silence your wisdom might shine.
And, if you would allow, hear my argument now,
and make note of these pleadings of mine.
Will you wickedly speak to defend God’s mystique?
Would you honestly lie for his sake?
Are you partial to him, going out on a limb
tilting scales in these cases you make?
Tell me, what could be said if he searched you instead?
Could you fool him like others we've known?
You'd be held to account wherein any amount
of your bias and slant could be shown.
Would you faint like one dead from his terror and dread?
Would his majesty not cause you fright?
Your defenses of clay are like ash blown away
with these maxims and proverbs you cite.
Silence! Leave me alone, let me stand on my own.
Let the chips fall wherever they land.
I am willing to risk all I am upon this
and to take my own life in my hand.
Though he slay me, I will put my trust in him still;
to my last breath, defending my ways.
For, indeed, this would be a salvation for me,
since no godless could suffer his gaze.
Closely study each word of this speech you've just heard;
let the meaning and truth fill your ear.
For, my case is prepared and I know I'll be spared;
yes, I know I'll be found in the clear.
Should my charges be brought and convictions be wrought,
let me die in the silence of grace.
O God, grant me two things and the peace that each brings,
then no more would I hide from your face.
Let your hand be withdrawn and the horror be gone,
and the terrors that cause me to cry.
I would answer your call, if you called me at all;
or I'd speak, then await your reply.
Of the wrongs I have done, can you tell me just one?
Show my sins and my crimes so I'll know.
Why continue to hide with your face turned aside,
and consider me one of your foe?
Would you frighten with grief a lone quivering leaf?
Would you chase the dry chaff in the wind?
You've kept records of proof of my errors since youth,
jotted down every time that I've sinned.
You have kept me in stocks and have shadowed my walks
with your marks on the soles of my feet.
So, I waste and decay and am rotting away
like a garment that moths choose to eat.
now I know — all my senses agree.
I'm exactly like you — know the same things you do;
as I've said, you're no better than me.
But my hope is that I could yet speak with Shaddai,
and could argue my case before God.
You have come to advise, yet you smear me with lies;
as physicians, you're nothing but frauds.
If you’d shut up and sit and be quiet a bit,
in the silence your wisdom might shine.
And, if you would allow, hear my argument now,
and make note of these pleadings of mine.
Will you wickedly speak to defend God’s mystique?
Would you honestly lie for his sake?
Are you partial to him, going out on a limb
tilting scales in these cases you make?
Tell me, what could be said if he searched you instead?
Could you fool him like others we've known?
You'd be held to account wherein any amount
of your bias and slant could be shown.
Would you faint like one dead from his terror and dread?
Would his majesty not cause you fright?
Your defenses of clay are like ash blown away
with these maxims and proverbs you cite.
Silence! Leave me alone, let me stand on my own.
Let the chips fall wherever they land.
I am willing to risk all I am upon this
and to take my own life in my hand.
Though he slay me, I will put my trust in him still;
to my last breath, defending my ways.
For, indeed, this would be a salvation for me,
since no godless could suffer his gaze.
Closely study each word of this speech you've just heard;
let the meaning and truth fill your ear.
For, my case is prepared and I know I'll be spared;
yes, I know I'll be found in the clear.
Should my charges be brought and convictions be wrought,
let me die in the silence of grace.
O God, grant me two things and the peace that each brings,
then no more would I hide from your face.
Let your hand be withdrawn and the horror be gone,
and the terrors that cause me to cry.
I would answer your call, if you called me at all;
or I'd speak, then await your reply.
Of the wrongs I have done, can you tell me just one?
Show my sins and my crimes so I'll know.
Why continue to hide with your face turned aside,
and consider me one of your foe?
Would you frighten with grief a lone quivering leaf?
Would you chase the dry chaff in the wind?
You've kept records of proof of my errors since youth,
jotted down every time that I've sinned.
You have kept me in stocks and have shadowed my walks
with your marks on the soles of my feet.
So, I waste and decay and am rotting away
like a garment that moths choose to eat.
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