13:1  "Lo, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it.

13:2  What you know, I know also; I am not inferior to you.

13:3  Notwithstanding I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case before God.

13:4  But you are forgers of lies; you are all worthless physicians.

13:5  Oh, that you would stop speaking entirely! And it would be your wisdom.

13:6  Hear now my reasoning, and listen to the pleadings of my lips.

13:7  Would you speak wickedly for God, and talk deceitfully for Him?

13:8  Will you show partiality for Him, or will you contend for God?

13:9  Is it good that He should search you out? Or as one man mocks another, do you mock Him?

13:10  He will surely blame you, if you secretly show respect of persons.

13:11  Shall not His excellency make you afraid, and His dread fall upon you?

13:12  Your lofty sayings are like proverbs of ashes, your bulwarks are like defenses of clay.

13:13  Be quiet. Let me alone so that I may speak, and let come upon me what may.

13:14  Why do I take my flesh in my teeth and put my life in my hand?

13:15  Though He slay me, I will trust in Him; but I will maintain my own ways before Him.

13:16  He also is my salvation, for a hypocrite shall not come before Him.

13:17  Listen carefully to my words, and to my declarations with your ears.

13:18  Behold now, I have set my cause in order; I know that I shall be justified.

13:19  Can anyone bring charges against me? If so, I will be silent and die.

13:20  Only do not do two things to me; then I will not hide myself from You.

13:21  Withdraw Your hand far from me, and let not Your dread terrify me.

13:22  Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and You answer me

13:23  How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgression and my sin.

13:24  Why do You hide Your face, and reckon me as Your enemy?

13:25  Will You terrify a leaf driven to and fro? Will You pursue the dry stubble?

13:26  For You write bitter things against me, and make me to possess the sins of my youth.

13:27  You put my feet also in the stocks, and look closely to all my paths; You set a limit for the soles of my feet,

13:28  While I waste away like a rotten thing, like a garment that a moth has eaten."