XIII. 1909-14. The Book of Job. The Harvard Classics

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The Book of Job.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.

XIII


[1]	LO, mine eye hath seen all this, Mine ear hath heard and understood it.
[2]	What ye know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you.

[3]	Surely I would speak to the Almighty, And I desire to reason with God.
[4]	But ye are forgers of lies; Ye are all physicians of no value.
[5]	Oh that ye would altogether hold your peace! And it would be your wisdom.
[6]	Hear now my reasoning, And hearken to the pleadings of my lips.
[7]	Will ye speak unrighteously for God, And talk deceitfully for him?
[8]	Will ye show partiality to him? Will ye contend for God?
[9]	Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceiveth 1 a man, will ye deceive 2 him?
[10]	He will surely reprove you, If ye do secretly show partiality.
[11]	Shall not his majesty make you afraid, And his dread fall upon you?
[12]	Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defences are defences of clay.

[13]	Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak; And let come on me what will.
[14]	Wherefore 3 should I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hand?
[15]	Behold, 4 he will slay me; I have no hope: Nevertheless I will maintain 5 my ways before him.
[16]	This also shall be my salvation, That a godless man shall not come before him.
[17]	Hear diligently my speech, And let my declaration be in your ears.
[18]	Behold now, I have set my cause in order; I know that I am 6 righteous.
[19]	Who is he that will contend with me? For then would 7 I hold my peace and give up the ghost.

[20]	Only do not two things unto me; Then will I not hide myself from thy face:
[21]	Withdraw thy hand far from me; And let not thy terror make me afraid.
[22]	Then call thou, and I will answer; Or let me speak, and answer thou me.
[23]	How many are mine iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgression and my sin.
[24]	Wherefore hidest thou thy face, And holdest me for thine enemy?
[25]	Wilt thou harass a driven leaf? And wilt thou pursue the dry stubble?
[26]	For thou writest bitter things against me, And makest me to inherit the iniquities of my youth:
[27]	Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, And markest all my paths; Thou settest a bound to the soles of my feet:
[28]	Though 8 I am like a rotten thing that consumeth, Like a garment that is moth-eaten.

Note 1. Or, mocketh. [back]

Note 2. Or, mock. [back]

Note 3. Or, At all adventures I will take &c. [back]

Note 4. Or, Though he slay me, yet will I wait for him. [back]

Note 5. Heb. argue. [back]

Note 6. Or, shall be justified. [back]

Note 7. Or, if I hold my peace, I shall give up &c. [back]

Note 8. Heb. And he is like. [back]

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