Read & explore together
Job Prepares His Case
In this part of Job’s speech, he stops accepting his friends’ claims as help. He wants to speak directly to God, set out his case, and ask what sin he is being charged with.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
Job 13:1–28 is wisdom and dialogue. Job says he understands the same matters his friends do, but he rejects their words as false and useless. He prepares to speak before the Almighty, asks for a fair hearing, and describes how crushed and watched he feels.
Job 13:1–28Main takeaway
Job insists that truthful speech before God matters more than defending God with false words.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Job rejects his friends’ adviceJob says he has seen, heard, and understood these matters, so he is not inferior to his friends.
Explanation
Job says he has seen, heard, and understood these matters, so he is not inferior to his friends. Even so, he does not accept their counsel. He calls them “forgers of lies” and “physicians of no value”, showing that their words have not brought truth or healing. He says silence would be wiser.
02False defence of God is still falseJob asks whether they will speak unrighteously and deceitfully for God, or show partiality to him.
Explanation
Job asks whether they will speak unrighteously and deceitfully for God, or show partiality to him. He warns that God can search them out and reprove them. Their impressive sayings are only “proverbs of ashes” and “defenses of clay”, pictures of something weak, empty, and unable to stand.
03Job sets out his caseJob asks to be left alone so he may speak, whatever follows. Though he says he has no hope if God kills him, he will still maintain his ways before him.
Explanation
Job asks to be left alone so he may speak, whatever follows. Though he says he has no hope if God kills him, he will still maintain his ways before him. He says he has set his cause in order and knows that he is righteous, so he is ready to present his case.
04Job asks for a fair hearingJob asks for two things before speaking: that God’s hand be withdrawn and that God’s terror not frighten him.
Explanation
Job asks for two things before speaking: that God’s hand be withdrawn and that God’s terror not frighten him. Then, he says, either God may call and Job will answer, or Job may speak and God answer. He asks what his sins are and why God treats him like an enemy.
05Job describes how pressed and frail he feelsJob asks whether God will chase a driven leaf or dry stubble, both images of weakness. He says bitter things are written against him and that he is made to inherit the iniquities of his youth.
Explanation
Job asks whether God will chase a driven leaf or dry stubble, both images of weakness. He says bitter things are written against him and that he is made to inherit the iniquities of his youth. He also says his feet are confined and watched, with boundaries set for his steps, while he decays like something rotten or moth-eaten.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Why does Job say his friends should stop speaking?
02What does Job warn about speaking on God’s behalf?
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Job 13:1–28
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.
11Won’t 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 will be my salvation, that a godless man will not come before him.
17Listen carefully to 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 I would 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 do you hide your face, and consider me 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.