| Chapter 13 |
1 | Lo, mine eye hath seen all [this], mine ear hath heard and understood it. |
2 | What ye know, I know also: I am not inferior to you. |
3 | But I will speak to the Almighty, and will find pleasure in reasoning with łGod; |
4 | For ye indeed are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value. |
5 | Oh that ye would be altogether silent! and it would be your wisdom. |
6 | Hear now my defence, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips. |
7 | Will ye speak unrighteously for łGod? and for him speak deceit? |
8 | Will ye accept his person? will ye contend for łGod? |
9 | Will it be well if he should search you out? or as one mocketh at a man, will ye mock at him? |
10 | He will certainly reprove you, if ye do secretly accept persons. |
11 | Shall not his excellency terrify you? and his dread fall upon you? |
12 | Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, your bulwarks are bulwarks of mire. |
13 | Hold your peace from me, and I will speak, and let come on me what [will]! |
14 | Wherefore should I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand? |
15 | Behold, if he slay me, yet would I trust in him; but I will defend mine own ways before him. |
16 | This also shall be my salvation, that a profane man shall not come before his face. |
17 | Hear attentively my speech and my declaration with your ears. |
18 | Behold now, I have ordered the cause; I know that I shall be justified. |
19 | Who is he that contendeth with me? For if I were silent now, I should expire. |
20 | Only do not two things unto me; then will I not hide myself from thee. |
21 | Withdraw thy hand far from me; and let not thy terror make me afraid: |
22 | Then call, and I will answer; or I will speak, and answer thou me. |
23 | How many are mine iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgression and my sin. |
24 | Wherefore dost thou hide thy face, and countest me for thine enemy? |
25 | Wilt thou terrify a driven leaf? and wilt thou pursue dry stubble? |
26 | For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth; |
27 | And thou puttest my feet in the stocks, and markest all my paths; thou settest a bound about the soles of my feet; -- |
28 | One who, as a rotten thing consumeth, as a garment that the moth eateth. |