Job — Chapter 13

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1Lo, mine eye hath seen all this, mine ear hath heard and understood it.

2What ye know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you.

3Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.

4But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.

5Oh that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom.

6Hear now my reasoning, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips.

7Will ye speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for him?

8Will ye accept his person? will ye contend for God?

9Is it good that he should search you out? or as one man mocketh another, do ye so mock him?

10He will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly accept persons.

11Shall not his excellency make you afraid? and his dread fall upon you?

12Your remembrances are like unto ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay.

13Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what will.

14Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand?

15Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

16He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him.

17Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears.

18Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified.

19Who is he that will plead with me? for now, if I hold my tongue, I shall give up the ghost.

20Only do not two things unto me: then will I not hide myself from thee.

21Withdraw thine hand far from me: and let not thy dread make me afraid.

22Then call thou, and I will answer: or let me speak, and answer thou me.

23How many are mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin.

24Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and holdest me for thine enemy?

25Wilt thou break a leaf driven to and fro? and wilt thou pursue the dry stubble?

26For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth.

27Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, and lookest narrowly unto all my paths; thou settest a print upon the heels of my feet.

28And he, as a rotten thing, consumeth, as a garment that is moth eaten.

1Lo, mine eye hath seen all [this], Mine ear hath heard and understood it.

2What ye know, [the same] do I know also: I am not inferior unto you.

3Surely I would speak to the Almighty, And I desire to reason with God.

4But ye are forgers of lies; Ye are all physicians of no value.

5Oh that ye would altogether hold your peace! And it would be your wisdom.

6Hear now my reasoning, And hearken to the pleadings of my lips.

7Will ye speak unrighteously for God, And talk deceitfully for him?

8Will ye show partiality to him? Will ye contend for God?

9Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceiveth a man, will ye deceive him?

10He will surely reprove you If ye do secretly show partiality.

11Shall not his majesty make you afraid, And his dread fall upon you?

12Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defences are defences of clay.

13Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak; And let come on me what will.

14Wherefore should I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hand?

15Behold, he will slay me; I have no hope: Nevertheless I will maintain my ways before him.

16This also shall be my salvation, That a godless man shall not come before him.

17Hear diligently my speech, And let my declaration be in your ears.

18Behold now, I have set my cause in order; I know that I am righteous.

19Who is he that will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and give up the ghost.

20Only do not two things unto me; Then will I not hide myself from thy face:

21Withdraw thy hand far from me; And let not thy terror make me afraid.

22Then call thou, and I will answer; Or let me speak, and answer thou me.

23How many are mine iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgression and my sin.

24Wherefore hidest thou thy face, And holdest me for thine enemy?

25Wilt thou harass a driven leaf? And wilt thou pursue the dry stubble?

26For thou writest bitter things against me, And makest me to inherit the iniquities of my youth:

27Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, And markest all my paths; Thou settest a bound to the soles of my feet:

28Though I am like a rotten thing that consumeth, Like a garment that is moth-eaten.

1“Indeed, my eyes have seen all this; my ears have heard and understood it.

2What you know, I know also; I am not inferior to you!

3But I wish to speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God.

4But you, however, are inventors of lies; all of you are worthless physicians!

5If only you would keep completely silent! For you, that would be wisdom.

6Listen now to my argument, and be attentive to my lips’ contentions.

7Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf? Will you speak deceitfully for him?

8Will you show him partiality? Will you argue the case for God?

9Would it turn out well if he would examine you? Or as one deceives a man would you deceive him?

10He would certainly rebuke you if you secretly showed partiality.

11Would not his splendor terrify you and the fear he inspires fall on you?

12Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.

13“Refrain from talking with me so that I may speak; then let come to me what may.

14Why do I put myself in peril, and take my life in my hands?

15Even if he slays me, I will hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.

16Moreover, this will become my deliverance, for no godless person would come before him.

17Listen carefully to my words; let your ears be attentive to my explanation.

18See now, I have prepared my case; I know that I am right.

19Who will contend with me? If anyone can, I will be silent and die.

20Only in two things spare me, O God, and then I will not hide from your face:

21Remove your hand far from me and stop making me afraid with your terror.

22Then call, and I will answer, or I will speak, and you respond to me.

23How many are my iniquities and sins? Show me my transgression and my sin.

24Why do you hide your face and regard me as your enemy?

25Do you wish to torment a windblown leaf and chase after dry chaff?

26For you write down bitter things against me and cause me to inherit the sins of my youth.

27And you put my feet in the stocks and you watch all my movements; you put marks on the soles of my feet.

28So I waste away like something rotten, like a garment eaten by moths.

1“Behold, my eye has seen all this. My ear has heard and understood it.

2What you know, I know also. I am not inferior to you.

3“Surely I would speak to the Almighty. I desire to reason with God.

4But you are forgers of lies. You are all physicians of no value.

5Oh that you would be completely silent! Then you would be wise.

6Hear now my reasoning. Listen to the pleadings of my lips.

7Will you speak unrighteously for God, and talk deceitfully for him?

8Will you show partiality to him? Will you contend for God?

9Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceives a man, will you deceive him?

10He will surely reprove you, if you secretly show partiality.

11Shall not his majesty make you afraid, And his dread fall on you?

12Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defenses are defenses of clay.

13“Be silent, leave me alone, that I may speak. Let come on me what will.

14Why should I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand?

15Behold, he will kill me. I have no hope. Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him.

16This also shall be my salvation, that a godless man shall not come before him.

17Hear diligently my speech. Let my declaration be in your ears.

18See now, I have set my cause in order. I know that I am righteous.

19Who is he who will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and give up the spirit.

20“Only don’t do two things to me; then I will not hide myself from your face:

21withdraw your hand far from me; and don’t let your terror make me afraid.

22Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and you answer me.

23How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me know my disobedience and my sin.

24Why hide you your face, and hold me for your enemy?

25Will you harass a driven leaf? Will you pursue the dry stubble?

26For you write bitter things against me, and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth:

27You also put my feet in the stocks, and mark all my paths. You set a bound to the soles of my feet,

28though I am decaying like a rotten thing, like a garment that is moth-eaten.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

Job's reply continued — rebukes his friends as worthless physicians who speak falsely for God, then boldly resolves to argue his case directly before God: 'Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.'

Authorship & Background

Author: Unknown. Candidates include Job himself, Moses, Solomon, or an anonymous sage. Likely the oldest book in the Bible by setting (patriarchal era, approximately 2000-1800 BC), though the date of composition is debated. The book addresses the problem of innocent suffering and God's sovereignty. Key themes: Why do the righteous suffer? Is God just? Can faith survive without answers? The inadequacy of simplistic theology ('you suffer because you sinned'). God's sovereignty transcends human understanding. True worship says 'Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him' (13:15).
Historical Context: Chapter 13 continues Job's reply (begun in ch. 12) and contains the most famous verse in the book: "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him" (v.15). This chapter represents the climax of Job's first-cycle speech. He rebukes his friends with devastating precision, then turns to address God directly with extraordinary boldness. Job declares his friends are "forgers of lies" and "physicians of no value" (v.4), that their defense of God is actually dishonest (vv.7-8), and that God Himself would condemn their partiality (vv.9-10). Then, in one of Scripture's most remarkable moments of faith, Job announces his intention to argue his case directly with God — even at the risk of his life. The paradox of verse 15 captures the essence of the entire book: faith that persists despite God's apparent hostility.
Rebuke of the Friends (vv.1-12): "What ye know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you" (v.2). Job matches them point for point in wisdom. But unlike them, Job wants to take his case directly to God: "I desire to reason with God" (v.3). The friends are "forgers of lies" (v.4) — not that they lie deliberately, but they fabricate explanations where none exist. They are "physicians of no value" — their diagnosis is wrong and their cure harmful. Job's sharpest advice: "Oh that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom" (v.5). Your silence would be wiser than your speech. Then the devastating charge: "Will ye speak wickedly for God?" (v.7). The friends think they're defending God, but they're actually bearing false witness. God does not need defenders who lie on His behalf. "He will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly accept persons" (v.10) — God will judge the friends for their partiality.
The Bold Approach to God (vv.13-19): "Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what will" (v.13). Job knows the risk: "Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand?" (v.14) — approaching God this boldly may cost his life. Then verse 15: "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him." This is the pinnacle of faith in the book: Job will trust God even if God kills him, AND he will maintain his innocence. Faith and honesty are not in conflict. "He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him" (v.16) — Job's confidence: his very boldness proves his sincerity. A hypocrite would not dare approach God this way.
Job's Petition to God (vv.20-28): Job asks two things: "Withdraw thine hand far from me: and let not thy dread make me afraid" (v.21). Remove the pain and the terror, and then let us talk as equals. "Then call thou, and I will answer: or let me speak, and answer thou me" (v.22) — Job wants a genuine dialogue with God, not a one-sided assault. He asks: "How many are mine iniquities and sins?" (v.23) — name them specifically. "Wherefore hidest thou thy face?" (v.24) — why do you treat me as an enemy? "Wilt thou break a leaf driven to and fro?" (v.25) — am I worth this kind of divine assault? The chapter ends with Job's image of human frailty: man is "a rotten thing" that consumes away, "a garment that is moth eaten" (v.28).

Map & Geography

  • No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik emphasizes that Job's charge against his friends (vv.7-10) is later vindicated by God Himself (42:7). The friends thought they were defending God, but God did not need or want that kind of defense. Lying for God is still lying. Guzik also notes that verse 15 is the most remarkable statement of faith in the Old Testament — Job trusts a God who appears to be killing him. This is not blind faith but defiant faith: faith that holds on precisely when all evidence says to let go.
  • Charles Spurgeon: "'Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.' Here is faith at its summit — not faith in God's gifts, not faith in God's explanations, not faith in God's fairness as we can see it, but faith in GOD HIMSELF. Naked trust in a seemingly hostile God. This is what Satan said was impossible: loving God 'for nought.' Job proves it possible. He trusts a God who appears to be destroying him. This is the answer to Satan's accusation, and it is magnificent."

Videos

The Bible Project — Job Overview

Reflection

  • 1. "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him" (v.15). This is the ultimate declaration of faith — trust that is not conditioned on survival, on answers, on fairness, or on feeling God's presence. Can you say this? Faith is tested not when God gives but when God takes — or when God is silent.
  • 2. God does not need you to lie for Him (vv.7-8). The friends think they are defending God, but they are manufacturing explanations God never authorized. You do not help God by inventing explanations for suffering that He has not revealed. Honesty — even uncomfortable honesty — honors God more than pious fabrication.
  • 3. Silence can be the greatest wisdom (v.5). The friends' best moment was their seven days of silence. Since then, every word has been damage. Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do for a suffering person is close your mouth. Not every situation needs your explanation.
  • 4. Bold approach to God is evidence of faith, not arrogance (vv.13-16). Job knows he might die approaching God this directly — and he does it anyway. Boldness before God (not presumption, but honest directness) is the mark of genuine relationship. A stranger would not dare; only a child of God can approach with this freedom.
  • 5. Ask God to show you specific sin (v.23). "How many are mine iniquities? Make me to know my transgression." This is a prayer you can pray: God, if there IS something specific, show me. If nothing comes, resist the temptation to manufacture guilt. Do not confess sins God has not convicted you of.