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

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

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

13:4  As for you, you whitewash with lies; worthless physicians are you all.

13:5  Oh that you would keep silent, and it would be your wisdom!

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

13:7  Will you speak falsely for God, and speak deceitfully for him?

13:8  Will you show partiality toward him, will you plead the case for God?

13:9  Will it be well with you when he searches you out? Or can you deceive him, as one deceives a man?

13:10  He will surely rebuke you if in secret you show partiality.

13:11  Will not his majesty terrify you, and the dread of him fall upon you?

13:12  Your maxims are proverbs of ashes, your defenses are defenses of clay.

13:13  "Let me have silence, and I will speak, and let come on me what may.

13:14  I will take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand.

13:15  Behold, he will slay me; I have no hope; yet I will defend my ways to his face.

13:16  This will be my salvation, that a godless man shall not come before him.

13:17  Listen carefully to my words, and let my declaration be in your ears.

13:18  Behold, I have prepared my case; I know that I shall be vindicated.

13:19  Who is there that will contend with me? For then I would be silent and die.

13:20  Only grant two things to me, then I will not hide myself from thy face:

13:21  withdraw thy hand far from me, and let not dread of thee terrify me.

13:22  Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and do thou reply to me.

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

13:24  Why dost thou hide thy face, and count me as thy enemy?

13:25  Wilt thou frighten a driven leaf and pursue dry chaff?

13:26  For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me inherit the iniquities of my youth.

13:27  Thou puttest my feet in the stocks, and watchest all my paths; thou settest a bound to the soles of my feet.

13:28  Man wastes away like a rotten thing, like a garment that is moth-eaten.