13 “Behold, my eye has seen all this, My ear has heard and understood it.

2 aWhat you know, I also know;

I am not inferior to you.

3 bBut I would speak to the Almighty,

And I desire to reason with God.

4 But you forgers of lies,

cYou are all worthless physicians.

5 Oh, that you would be silent,

And dit would be your wisdom!

6 Now hear my reasoning,

And heed the pleadings of my lips.

7 eWill you speak 1wickedly for God,

And talk deceitfully for Him?

8 Will you show partiality for Him?

Will you contend for God?

9 Will it be well when He searches you out?

Or can you mock Him as one mocks a man?

10 He will surely rebuke you

If you secretly show partiality.

11 Will not His 2excellence make you afraid,

And the dread of Him fall upon you?

12 Your platitudes are proverbs of ashes,

Your defenses are defenses of clay.

13 “Hold 3your peace with me, and let me speak,

Then let come on me what may!

14 Why fdo I take my flesh in my teeth,

And put my life in my hands?

15 gThough He slay me, yet will I trust Him.

hEven so, I will defend my own ways before Him.

16 He also shall be my salvation,

For a ihypocrite could not come before Him.

17 Listen carefully to my speech,

And to my declaration with your ears.

18 See now, I have prepared my case,

I know that I shall be jvindicated.

19 kWho is he who will contend with me?

If now I hold my tongue, I perish.