Chapter 13

  Lo, mine eye hath seen all [this], Mine ear hath heard and understood it.  

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  What ye know, [the same] do I know also: I am not inferior unto you.  

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  Surely I would speak to the Almighty, And I desire to reason with God.  

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  But ye are forgers of lies; Ye are all physicians of no value.  

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  Oh that ye would altogether hold your peace! And it would be your wisdom.  

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  Hear now my reasoning, And hearken to the pleadings of my lips.  

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  Will ye speak unrighteously for God, And talk deceitfully for him?  

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  Will ye show partiality to him? Will ye contend for God?  

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  Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceiveth a man, will ye deceive him?  

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  He will surely reprove you If ye do secretly show partiality.  

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  Shall not his majesty make you afraid, And his dread fall upon you?  

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  Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defences are defences of clay.  

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  Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak; And let come on me what will.  

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  Wherefore should I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hand?  

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  Behold, he will slay me; I have no hope: Nevertheless I will maintain my ways before him.  

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  This also shall be my salvation, That a godless man shall not come before him.  

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  Hear diligently my speech, And let my declaration be in your ears.  

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  Behold now, I have set my cause in order; I know that I am righteous.  

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  Who is he that will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and give up the ghost.  

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  Only do not two things unto me; Then will I not hide myself from thy face:  

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  Withdraw thy hand far from me; And let not thy terror make me afraid.  

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  Then call thou, and I will answer; Or let me speak, and answer thou me.  

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  How many are mine iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgression and my sin.  

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  Wherefore hidest thou thy face, And holdest me for thine enemy?  

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  Wilt thou harass a driven leaf? And wilt thou pursue the dry stubble?  

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  For thou writest bitter things against me, And makest me to inherit the iniquities of my youth:  

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  Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, And markest all my paths; Thou settest a bound to the soles of my feet:  

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  Though I am like a rotten thing that consumeth, Like a garment that is moth-eaten.  

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