13:1 "Behold, 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 "Surely I would speak to the Almighty. I desire to reason with God.
13:4 But you are forgers of lies. You are all physicians of no value.
13:5 Oh that you would be completely silent! Then you would be wise.
13:6 Hear now my reasoning. Listen to the pleadings of my lips.
13:7 Will you speak unrighteously for God, And talk deceitfully for him?
13:8 Will you show partiality to him? Will you contend for God?
13:9 Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceives a man, will you deceive him?
13:10 He will surely reprove you If you secretly show partiality.
13:11 Shall not his majesty make you afraid, And his dread fall on you?
13:12 Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defenses are defenses of clay.
13:13 "Be silent, leave me alone, that I may speak. Let come on me what will.
13:14 Why should I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hand?
13:15 Behold, he will kill 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. Let my declaration be in your ears.
13:18 See now, I have set my cause in order. I know that I am righteous.
13:19 Who is he who will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and give up the spirit.
13:20 "Only don't do two things to me; Then I will not hide myself from your face:
13:21 Withdraw your hand far from me; And don't let your terror make me afraid.
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 know my disobedience and my sin.
13:24 Why hide you your face, And hold me for your enemy?
13:25 Will you harass a driven leaf? Will you pursue the dry stubble?
13:26 For you write bitter things against me, And make me inherit the iniquities of my youth:
13:27 You also put my feet in the stocks, And mark all my paths. You set a bound to the soles of my feet:
13:28 Though I am decaying like a rotten thing, Like a garment that is moth-eaten.