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