Mine ear hath heard and understood it.
13:2What ye know, the same do I know also:
I am not inferior unto you.
13:3Surely I would speak to the Almighty,
And I desire to reason with God.
13:4But ye are forgers of lies;
Ye are all physicians of no value.
13:5Oh that ye would altogether hold your peace!
And it would be your wisdom.
13:6Hear now my reasoning,
And hearken to the pleadings of my lips.
13:7Will ye speak unrighteously for God,
And talk deceitfully for him?
13:8Will ye show partiality to him?
Will ye contend for God?
13:9Is it good that he should search you out?
Or as one deceiveth a man, will ye deceive him?
13:10He will surely reprove you
If ye do secretly show partiality.
13:11Shall not his majesty make you afraid,
And his dread fall upon you?
13:12Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes,
Your defences are defences of clay. \\ \\
13:13Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak;
And let come on me what will.
13:14Wherefore should I take my flesh in my teeth,
13:15Behold, he will slay me; I have no hope:
Nevertheless I will maintain my ways before him.
13:16This also shall be my salvation,
That a godless man shall not come before him.
13:17Hear diligently my speech,
And let my declaration be in your ears.
13:18Behold now, I have set my cause in order;
I know that I am righteous.
13:19Who is he that will contend with me?
For then would I hold my peace and give up the ghost. \\ \\
13:20Only do not two things unto me;
Then will I not hide myself from thy face:
13:21Withdraw thy hand far from me;
And let not thy terror make me afraid.
13:22Then call thou, and I will answer;
Or let me speak, and answer thou me.
13:23How many are mine iniquities and sins?
Make me to know my transgression and my sin.
13:24Wherefore hidest thou thy face,
And holdest me for thine enemy?
13:25Wilt thou harass a driven leaf?
And wilt thou pursue the dry stubble?
13:26For thou writest bitter things against me,
And makest me to inherit the iniquities of my youth:
13:27Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks,
And markest all my paths;
Thou settest a bound to the soles of my feet:
13:28Though I am like a rotten thing that consumeth,
Like a garment that is moth-eaten.
Notes: