13:1 Lo, mine eye hath seen all `this', Mine ear hath heard and understood it. |
13:2 What ye know, `the same' do I know also: I am not inferior unto you. |
13:3 Surely I would speak to the Almighty, And I desire to reason with God. |
13:4 But ye are forgers of lies; Ye are all physicians of no value. |
13:5 Oh that ye would altogether hold your peace! And it would be your wisdom. |
13:6 Hear now my reasoning, And hearken to the pleadings of my lips. |
13:7 Will ye speak unrighteously for God, And talk deceitfully for him? |
13:8 Will ye show partiality to him? Will ye contend for God? |
13:9 Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceiveth a man, will ye deceive him? |
13:10 He will surely reprove you If ye do secretly show partiality. |
13:11 Shall not his majesty make you afraid, And his dread fall upon you? |
13:12 Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defences are defences of clay. |
13:13 Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak; And let come on me what will. |
13:14 Wherefore should I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hand? |
13:15 Behold, he will slay me; I have no hope: Nevertheless I will maintain my ways before him. |
13:16 This also shall be my salvation, That a godless man shall not come before him. |
13:17 Hear diligently my speech, And let my declaration be in your ears. |
13:18 Behold now, I have set my cause in order; I know that I am righteous. |
13:19 Who is he that will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and give up the ghost. |
13:20 Only do not two things unto me; Then will I not hide myself from thy face: |
13:21 Withdraw thy hand far from me; And let not thy terror make me afraid. |
13:22 Then call thou, and I will answer; Or let me speak, and answer thou me. |
13:23 How many are mine iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgression and my sin. |
13:24 Wherefore hidest thou thy face, And holdest me for thine enemy? |
13:25 Wilt thou harass a driven leaf? And wilt thou pursue the dry stubble? |
13:26 For thou writest bitter things against me, And makest me to inherit the iniquities of my youth: |
13:27 Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, And markest all my paths; Thou settest a bound to the soles of my feet: |
13:28 Though I am like a rotten thing that consumeth, Like a garment that is moth-eaten. |