Job 13:5

5 And I wish you would hold your peace, that you might be thought to be wise men.

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 But yet I will speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.
4 Having first shewn that you are forgers of lies, and maintainers of perverse opinions.
5 And I wish you would hold your peace, that you might be thought to be wise men.
6 Hear ye therefore my reproof, and attend to the judgment of my lips.
7 Hath God any need of your lie, that you should speak deceitfully for him?
The Douay-Rheims Bible is in the public domain.