Job 13:23

13:23 How many are my ¹  iniquities and sins?

Show me my transgression and my sin. ² 

Job 13:26

13:26 For you write down ³  bitter things against me

and cause me to inherit the sins of my youth. ⁴ 

[13:23]  ¹ tn The pronoun “my” is not in the Hebrew text, but has been supplied here in the translation.

[13:23]  ² sn Job uses three words for sin here: “iniquities,” which means going astray, erring; “sins,” which means missing the mark or the way; and “transgressions,” which are open rebellions. They all emphasize different kinds of sins and different degrees of willfulness. Job is demanding that any sins be brought up. Both Job and his friends agree that great afflictions would have to indicate great offenses – he wants to know what they are.

[13:26]  ³ tn The meaning is that of writing down a formal charge against someone (cf. Job 31:15).

[13:26]  ⁴ sn Job acknowledges sins in his youth, but they are trifling compared to the suffering he now endures. Job thinks it unjust of God to persecute him now for those – if that is what is happening.