Job 13:13-23

13 Houdt stil van mij, opdat ik spreke, en er ga over mij, wat het zij.

14 Waarom zou ik mijn vlees in mijn tanden nemen, en mijn ziel in mijn hand stellen?

15 Ziet, zo Hij mij doodde, zou ik niet hopen? Evenwel zal ik mijn wegen voor Zijn aangezicht verdedigen.

16 Ook zal Hij mij tot zaligheid zijn; maar een huichelaar zal voor Zijn aangezicht niet komen.

17 Hoort naarstiglijk mijn rede, en mijn aanwijzing met uw oren.

18 Ziet nu, ik heb het recht ordentelijk gesteld; ik weet, dat ik rechtvaardig zal verklaard worden.

19 Wie is hij, die met mij twist? Wanneer ik nu zweeg, zo zou ik den geest geven.

20 Alleenlijk doe twee dingen niet met mij; dan zal ik mij van Uw aangezicht niet verbergen.

21 Doe Uw hand verre van op mij, en Uw verschrikking make mij niet verbaasd.

22 Roep dan, en ik zal antwoorden; of ik zal spreken, en geef mij antwoord.

23 Hoeveel misdaden en zonden heb ik? Maak mijn overtreding en mijn zonden mij bekend.

Job 13:13-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 13

Job begins this chapter by observing the extensiveness of his knowledge, as appeared from his preceding discourse, by which it was evident he was not less knowing than his friends, Job 13:1,2; and therefore would have nothing to do with them as judges in his cause, but would appeal to God, and debate the matter before him, and leave it to his decision, since he could expect no good from them, Job 13:3,4; and all the favour he entreats of them is, that they would for the future be no longer speakers, but hearers, Job 13:5,6,13,17; he expostulates with them about their wicked and deceitful way of pleading for God, and against him, Job 13:7,8; and in order to strike an awe upon them, suggests to them, that they were liable to the divine scrutiny; that God was not to be mocked by them, that he would surely reprove them for their respect of persons, and desires them to consider his dreadful majesty, and what frail creatures they were, Job 13:9-12; then he expresses his confidence in God, that he should be saved by him, notwithstanding the afflictive circumstances he was in, Job 13:14-16; and doubted not he should be able so to plead his cause, as that he should be justified, if God would but withdraw his hand, and take off his dread from him, Job 13:18-22; he desires to know what his sins were, that he should hide his face from him, and treat him with so much severity, who was but a poor, weak, feeble creature, Job 13:24,25; and concludes with a complaint of the bitterness and sharpness of his afflictions, with which he was consumed, Job 13:26-28.