Job 13:17-19

If Job was guilty, he deserved punishment. But a good man, who trusts God, does not deserve any punishment. Job’s friends were not his judges. God alone was Job’s judge. Job knew that God would make the right decision. Job trusted God.

Job prays to God

v20-21 God, I pray that you would stop punishing me. And I pray that you would stop making me afraid. Then I would not try to hide from you.

v22 Then call me! And I will reply after you accuse me. Or, I shall speak, and then you will answer me.

v23 God, explain my errors! Show my evil behaviour to me. v24 Explain why you do not help me. Explain why you consider me your enemy. v25 (I am not important.) I am like a leaf that the wind blows. But surely God does not punish the hay!

v26 But you record my errors. I suffer because of my behaviour when I was young. v27 You control me like a prisoner. Or you watch me wherever I go. Even my feet leave a mark on the ground.

v28 So a man’s body falls apart, like soft, wet wood. Or, like old clothes that insects eat.