Job 13:5

5 O that ye would keep perfectly silent, And it would be to you for 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 Yet I for the Mighty One do speak, And to argue for God I delight.
4 And yet, ye [are] forgers of falsehood, Physicians of nought -- all of you,
5 O that ye would keep perfectly silent, And it would be to you for wisdom.
6 Hear, I pray you, my argument, And to the pleadings of my lips attend,
7 For God do ye speak perverseness? And for Him do ye speak deceit?
Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain.