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. |