13
1 Look, my eye has seen all this;
my ear has heard and understood it.
2 What you know, I know too;
I am not inferior to you.
3 But I would speak to the Almighty;
I desire to argue my case with God.
4 But you are plasterers of lies;
all of you are worthless physicians.
5 If only you would be completely silent!
That would be wisdom for you.
6 Listen, please, to my argument, and attend to the pleadings of my lips.
7 Will you speak unjustly for God?
Will you speak deceitfully for him?
8 Will you show partiality toward him?
Will you contend for God?
9 Will it go well when he examines you?
Will you deceive him as one deceives a mortal?
10 He will surely rebuke you if you show partiality in secret.
11 Will not his majesty terrify you, and his dread fall upon you?
12 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes;
your defenses are defenses of clay.
13 Be silent and let me speak;
then let come upon me what may.
14 Why should I take my flesh in my teeth and put my life in my hand?
15 Though he slay me, I will hope in him;
yet I will defend my ways before him.
16 This too will be my salvation, for no godless man will come before him.
17 Listen carefully to my words;
let my declaration reach your ears.
18 Look, I have prepared my case;
I know that I will be in the right.
19 Who is there who will contend with me?
For then I would be silent and breathe my last.
20 Only do not do two things to me;
then I will not hide from your face:
21 remove your hand far from me, and do not let your terror frighten me.
22 Then call, and I will answer;
or let me speak, and answer me.
23 How many are my iniquities and sins?
Let me know my transgression and my sin.
24 Why do you hide your face and count me as your enemy?
25 Will you terrify a windblown leaf and pursue dry stubble?
26 For you write bitter things against me and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.
27 You put my feet in the stocks and watch all my paths;
you mark a boundary around the soles of my feet.
28 A man wastes away like something rotten, like a garment eaten by moths.