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.