Job · 28 verses
Job 13
Every verse links to the people and places named in it, and to the passages readers connect it with.
The chapter
What happens here
Atlas's own reading, written from this chapter and nothing else, and published only once a person has approved it. Each scene names the verses it covers; the names inside it link to the people and places they name.
Job calls his friends’ arguments “defenses of clay” and then asks whether God is really pursuing a windblown leaf.
The wisdom of silencevv. 1–19
Job has heard everything his friends know, and is not impressed by the arrangement. He calls them worthless physicians, then proposes the astonishing remedy: silence, which would be their wisdom. Their maxims are proverbs of ashes and their defenses are defenses of clay—rather a dusty little architecture. Job will speak to God directly, even at risk to himself, and presents his case as one ready for examination.
The case before Godvv. 20–28
Job turns from the friends to God and asks for two conditions before the hearing begins: that God withdraw His hand and set aside the terror. Then let God call and Job answer, or let Job speak and God reply. The questions become increasingly strange and exact: what sins are being counted, why is God hiding His face, and why chase dry chaff? The chapter ends with Job comparing human life to something rotten and a moth-eaten garment.
The text
Read it
Berean Standard Bible, public domain. Names the Hebrew and Greek put in the verse link to the person, place or people they name; the address beside each verse is a link to that verse, which is what a reader copies and shares.
Job 13:1“Indeed, my eyes have seen all this; my ears have heard and understood.
Job 13:2What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.
Job 13:3Yet I desire to speak to the Almighty and argue my case before God.
Job 13:4You, however, smear with lies; you are all worthless physicians.
Job 13:5If only you would remain silent; for that would be your wisdom!
Job 13:6Hear now my argument, and listen to the plea of my lips.
Job 13:7Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf or speak deceitfully for Him?
Job 13:8Would you show Him partiality or argue in His defense?
Job 13:9Would it be well when He examined you? Could you deceive Him as you would deceive a man?
Job 13:10Surely He would rebuke you if you secretly showed partiality.
Job 13:11Would His majesty not terrify you? Would the dread of Him not fall upon you?
Job 13:12Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.
Job 13:13Be silent, and I will speak. Then let come to me what may.
Job 13:14Why do I put myself at risk and take my life in my own hands?
Job 13:15Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. I will still defend my ways to His face.
Job 13:16Moreover, this will be my salvation, for no godless man can appear before Him.
Job 13:17Listen carefully to my words; let my declaration ring in your ears.
Job 13:18See now, I have prepared my case; I know that I will be vindicated.
Job 13:19Can anyone indict me? If so, I will be silent and die.
Job 13:20Only grant these two things to me, so that I need not hide from You:
Job 13:21Withdraw Your hand from me, and do not let Your terror frighten me.
Job 13:22Then call me, and I will answer, or let me speak, and You can reply.
Job 13:23How many are my iniquities and sins? Reveal to me my transgression and sin.
Job 13:24Why do You hide Your face and consider me as Your enemy?
Job 13:25Would You frighten a windblown leaf? Would You chase after dry chaff?
Job 13:26For You record bitter accusations against me and bequeath to me the iniquities of my youth.
Job 13:27You put my feet in the stocks and stand watch over all my paths; You set a limit for the soles of my feet.
Job 13:28So man wastes away like something rotten, like a moth-eaten garment.’’
02 — Read alongside
Where this is echoed
Readers' own connections, from OpenBible's crowd-voted cross-references — agreement about relevance, and not scholarly confidence. 244 passages were voted onto 28 verses of this chapter; the 16 shown lead on votes, and each is listed at the verse it was voted onto most strongly.
- 15Psalms 23:4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
- 15Job 23:10Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
- 15Job 19:25–28But I know that my Redeemer lives, and in the end He will stand upon the earth.
- 15Romans 8:38–39For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
- 151 John 3:20Even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and He knows all things.
- 15Job 27:5I will never say that you are right; I will maintain my integrity until I die.
- 15Job 23:4–7I would plead my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments.
- 15Proverbs 14:32The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous man has a refuge even in death.
- 15Job 40:8Would you really annul My justice? Would you condemn Me to justify yourself?
- 15Job 13:18See now, I have prepared my case; I know that I will be vindicated.
- 5Proverbs 17:28Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.
- 2Job 12:3But I also have a mind; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know such things as these?
- 9Galatians 6:7–8Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.
- 15Job 40:2“Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who argues with God give an answer.”
- 24Job 19:11His anger burns against me, and He counts me among His enemies.
- 26Psalms 25:7Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my rebellious acts; remember me according to Your loving devotion, because of Your goodness, O LORD.
Onward