Job

¹ heard and understood it with my very own ears.

² so I'm not taking a back seat to any of you.

³ I've had it with you—I'm going directly to God.

⁴ You're a bunch of pompous quacks!

⁵ silence is your only claim to wisdom.

⁶ consider my side of things for a change.

⁷ to make up stories 'to get him off the hook'?

⁸ Do you think he needs a lawyer to defend himself?

⁹ Your lies might convince a jury—but would they convince God?

¹⁰ if he detected a bias in your witness.

¹¹ Aren't you afraid to speak cheap lies before him?

¹² good for nothing but gathering dust.

¹³ then I'll take whatever I have coming to me.

¹⁴ and take my life in my hands?

¹⁵ I'd defend my innocence to the very end.

¹⁶ If I were guilt-stricken do you think I'd be doing this— laying myself on the line before God?

¹⁷ listen carefully with both ears.

¹⁸ I'm sure that I'll be acquitted.

¹⁹ I've said my piece. I rest my case.

²⁰ grant them so I'll know I count with you:

²¹ the terror is too much for me.

²² or let me speak and then you answer me.

²³ Show me the list—how bad is it?

²⁴ Why treat me like I'm your enemy?

²⁵ Why beat a dead horse?

²⁶ even hold me accountable for the sins of my youth.

²⁷ You watch every move I make, and brand me as a dangerous character.

²⁸ like a moth-eaten shirt or a mildewed blouse.