13:1 Lo, mine eye hath seen all [this], Mine ear hath heard and understood it.

13:2 What ye know, [the same] do I know also: I am not inferior unto you.

13:3 Surely I would speak to the Almighty, And I desire to reason with God.

13:4 But ye are forgers of lies; Ye are all physicians of no value.

13:5 Oh that ye would altogether hold your peace! And it would be your wisdom.

13:6 Hear now my reasoning, And hearken to the pleadings of my lips.

13:7 Will ye speak unrighteously for God, And talk deceitfully for him?

13:8 Will ye show partiality to him? Will ye contend for God?

13:9 Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceiveth a man, will ye deceive him?

13:10 He will surely reprove you If ye do secretly show partiality.

13:11 Shall not his majesty make you afraid, And his dread fall upon you?

13:12 Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defences are defences of clay.

13:13 Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak; And let come on me what will.

13:14 Wherefore should I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hand?

13:15 Behold, he will slay 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, And let my declaration be in your ears.

13:18 Behold now, I have set my cause in order; I know that I am righteous.

13:19 Who is he that will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and give up the ghost.

13:20 Only do not two things unto me; Then will I not hide myself from thy face:

13:21 Withdraw thy hand far from me; And let not thy terror make me afraid.

13:22 Then call thou, and I will answer; Or let me speak, and answer thou me.

13:23 How many are mine iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgression and my sin.

13:24 Wherefore hidest thou thy face, And holdest me for thine enemy?

13:25 Wilt thou harass a driven leaf? And wilt thou pursue the dry stubble?

13:26 For thou writest bitter things against me, And makest me to inherit the iniquities of my youth:

13:27 Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, And markest all my paths; Thou settest a bound to the soles of my feet:

13:28 Though I am like a rotten thing that consumeth, Like a garment that is moth-eaten.