Job 13:5

5 I wish you'd shut your mouths - silence is your only claim to wisdom.

Job 13:5 Meaning and Commentary

Job 13:5

And that ye would altogether hold your peace
Since what they said of him was not true, nor anything to the purpose, or that tended to the comfort of his afflicted soul, but the reverse; and therefore he could have wished they had never broke silence, but continued as they were the first seven days of their visit; and now, since they had spoken, and had done no good by speaking, but hurt, he desires for the future they would be silent, and say no more:

and it should be your wisdom:
it would be the greatest evidence of it they could give; they had shown none by speaking; it would be a proof of some in them, should they hold their peace; a very biting expression this see ( Proverbs 17:28 ) .

Job 13:5 In-Context

3 I'm taking my case straight to God Almighty; I've had it with you - I'm going directly to God.
4 You graffiti my life with lies. You're a bunch of pompous quacks!
5 I wish you'd shut your mouths - silence is your only claim to wisdom.
6 "Listen now while I make my case, consider my side of things for a change.
7 Or are you going to keep on lying 'to do God a service'? to make up stories 'to get him off the hook'?
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.