13:1
Lo, mine eye hath seen all this, mine ear hath heard and understood it.
13:2
What ye know, do I know also; I am not inferior unto you.
13:3
Notwithstanding I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.
13:4
But ye are plasterers 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 Him favour? Will ye contend for God?
13:9
Would it be good that He should search you out? Or as one mocketh a man, will ye mock Him?
13:10
He will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly show favour.
13:11
Shall not His majesty terrify you, and His dread fall upon you?
13:12
Your memorials shall be like unto ashes, your eminences to eminences of clay.
13:13
Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what will.
13:14
Wherefore? I will take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand.
13:15
Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him; but I will argue my ways before Him.
13:16
This also shall be my salvation, that a hypocrite cannot come before Him.
13:17
Hear diligently my speech, and let my declaration be in your ears.
13:18
Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified.
13:19
Who is he that will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and die.
13:20
Only do not two things unto me, then will I not hide myself from Thee:
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
That Thou shouldest write bitter things against me, and make me to inherit the iniquities of my youth.
13:27
Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, and lookest narrowly unto all my paths; Thou drawest Thee a line about the soles of my feet;
13:28
Though I am like a wine-skin that consumeth, like a garment that is moth-eaten.