13"Look, I have seen all this with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears, and now I understand.H5869H7200H241H8085H9952I know as much as you do. You are no better than I am.H1847H3045H53073As for me, I would speak directly to the Almighty. I want to argue my case with God himself.H199H1696H7706H2654H3198H4104As for you, you smear me with lies. As physicians, you are worthless quacks.H199H2950H8267H7495H4575If only you could be silent! That's the wisest thing you could do.H5414H2790H2790H24516Listen to my charge; pay attention to my arguments.H8085H8433H7181H7379H81937"Are you defending God with lies? Do you make your dishonest arguments for his sake?H1696H5766H410H1696H74238Will you slant your testimony in his favor? Will you argue God's case for him?H5375H6440H7378H4109What will happen when he finds out what you are doing? Can you fool him as easily as you fool people?H2895H2713H582H2048H204810No, you will be in trouble with him if you secretly slant your testimony in his favor.H3198H3198H5643H5375H644011Doesn't his majesty terrify you? Doesn't your fear of him overwhelm you?H7613H1204H6343H530712Your platitudes are as valuable as ashes. Your defense is as fragile as a clay pot.H2146H4912H665H1354H1354H256313"Be silent now and leave me alone. Let me speak, and I will face the consequences.H2790H1696H567414Yes, I will take my life in my hands and say what I really think.H5375H1320H8127H7760H5315H370915God might kill me, but I have no other hope. I am going to argue my case with him.H2005H6991H3176H3198H1870H644016But this is what will save me—I am not godless. If I were, I could not stand before him.H3444H2611H935H644017"Listen closely to what I am about to say. Hear me out.H8085H8085H4405H262H24118I have prepared my case; I will be proved innocent.H6186H4941H3045H666319Who can argue with me over this? And if you prove me wrong, I will remain silent and die.H7378H2790H1478
Job Asks How He Has Sinned
20"O God, grant me these two things, and then I will be able to face you.H6213H8147H5641H644021Remove your heavy hand from me, and don't terrify me with your awesome presence.H7368H3709H7368H367H120422Now summon me, and I will answer! Or let me speak to you, and you reply.H7121H6030H1696H772523Tell me, what have I done wrong? Show me my rebellion and my sin.H5771H2403H3045H6588H240324Why do you turn away from me? Why do you treat me as your enemy?H5641H6440H2803H34125Would you terrify a leaf blown by the wind? Would you chase dry straw?H6206H5929H5086H7291H3002H717926"You write bitter accusations against me and bring up all the sins of my youth.H3789H4846H3423H5771H527127You put my feet in stocks. You examine all my paths. You trace all my footprints.H7760H7272H5465H8104H734H2707H8328H727228I waste away like rotting wood, like a moth-eaten coat.H7538H1086H899H6211H398
. I am going to argue my case with him.H2005
