13:1 “My eyes have seen all this, my ears have heard and understood it.
13:2 What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.
13:3 But I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God.
13:4 You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you!
13:5 If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.
13:6 Hear now my argument; listen to the plea of my lips.
13:7 Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf? Will you speak deceitfully for him?
13:8 Will you show him partiality? Will you argue the case for God?
13:9 Would it turn out well if he examined you? Could you deceive him as you might deceive men?
13:10 He would surely rebuke you if you secretly showed partiality.
13:11 Would not his splendor terrify you? Would not the dread of him fall on you?
13:12 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.
13:13 “Keep silent and let me speak; then let come to me what may.
13:14 Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands?
13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.
13:16 Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless man would dare come before him!
13:17 Listen carefully to my words; let your ears take in what I say.
13:18 Now that I have prepared my case, I know I will be vindicated.
13:19 Can anyone bring charges against me? If so, I will be silent and die.
13:20 “Only grant me these two things, O God, and then I will not hide from you:
13:21 Withdraw your hand far from me, and stop frightening me with your terrors.
13:22 Then summon me and I will answer, or let me speak, and you reply.
13:23 How many wrongs and sins have I committed? Show me my offense and my sin.
13:24 Why do you hide your face and consider me your enemy?
13:25 Will you torment a windblown leaf? Will you chase after dry chaff?
13:26 For you write down bitter things against me and make me inherit the sins of my youth.
13:27 You fasten my feet in shackles; you keep close watch on all my paths by putting marks on the soles of my feet.
13:28 “So man wastes away like something rotten, like a garment eaten by moths.
13:1 Indeed, my eye has seen all this; / My ear has heard and understood it.
13:2 What you know, I also know; / I am not inferior to you.
13:3 But I would speak to the Almighty, / And I desire to argue with God.
13:4 Yet you are plasterers of lies; / Physicians of no value are you all.
13:5 Oh that you would be altogether silent, / And this would be your wisdom!
13:6 Hear now my argument, / And hearken to the contentions of my lips.
13:7 Will you speak wrongly for God / And speak deceitfully for Him?
13:8 Will you be partial to Him? / Will you contend for God?
13:9 Will it be well with you when He searches you out? / Or will you deceive Him as one might deceive a man?
13:10 He will surely reprove you / If you are secretly partial.
13:11 Will 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 before me, and I myself will speak; / And let come on me what may.
13:14 I will take my flesh in my teeth / And put my life in my hand.
13:15 Indeed, He will kill me; I have no hope. / Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him.
13:16 This also will be my salvation, / That no profane man may come before Him.
13:17 Hear carefully my words, / And let my declaration be in your ears.
13:18 Here now, I have arranged my case; / I know that I will be vindicated.
13:19 Who will contend with me? / For then I would be silent and die.
13:20 Only do not do two things to me, / Then I will not hide from Your face:
13:21 Withdraw Your hand far from me, / And do not let Your terror frighten me.
13:22 Then call, and I will answer; / Or let me speak, and You respond to me.
13:23 How many are my iniquities and sins? / Make my transgression and my sin known to me.
13:24 Why do You hide Your face / And consider me as Your enemy?
13:25 Will You harass a driven leaf / And pursue dry chaff?
13:26 For You write bitter things against me / And cause me to inherit the iniquities of my youth;
13:27 And You put my feet in stocks / And mark all my paths; / You set a limit for the soles of my feet.
13:28 And such a one is like some rotten thing that wastes away, / Like a garment eaten by moths.