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.