13 Lo, mine eye hath seen all this,

Mine ear hath heard and understood it.

2What ye know, the same do I know also:

I am not inferior unto you.

3Surely I would speak to the Almighty,

And I desire to reason with God.

4But ye are forgers of lies;

Ye are all physicians of no value.

5Oh that ye would altogether hold your peace!

And it would be your wisdom.

6Hear now my reasoning,

And hearken to the pleadings of my lips.

7Will ye speak unrighteously for God,

And talk deceitfully for him?

8Will ye show partiality to him?

Will ye contend for God?

9Is it good that he should search you out?

Or as one deceiveth a man, will ye deceive him?

10He will surely reprove you,

If ye do secretly show partiality.

11Shall not his majesty make you afraid,

And his dread fall upon you?

12Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes,

Your defences are defences of clay.

13Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak;

And let come on me what will.

14Wherefore should I take my flesh in my teeth,

And put my life in my hand?

15Behold, he will slay me; I have no hope:

Nevertheless I will maintain my ways before him.

16This also shall be my salvation,

That a godless man shall not come before him.

17Hear diligently my speech,

And let my declaration be in your ears.

18Behold now, I have set my cause in order;

I know that I am righteous.

19Who is he that will contend with me?

For then would I hold my peace and give up the ghost.

20Only do not two things unto me;

Then will I not hide myself from thy face:

21Withdraw thy hand far from me;

And let not thy terror make me afraid.

22Then call thou, and I will answer;

Or let me speak, and answer thou me.

23How many are mine iniquities and sins?

Make me to know my transgression and my sin.

24Wherefore hidest thou thy face,

And holdest me for thine enemy?

25Wilt thou harass a driven leaf?

And wilt thou pursue the dry stubble?

26For thou writest bitter things against me,

And makest me to inherit the iniquities of my youth:

27Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks,

And markest all my paths;

Thou settest a bound to the soles of my feet:

28Though I am like a rotten thing that consumeth,

Like a garment that is moth-eaten.