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." |