Chapter 13

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

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  What ye know, I know also: I am not inferior to you.  

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  But I will speak to the Almighty, and will find pleasure in reasoning with ùGod;  

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  For ye indeed are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.  

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  Oh that ye would be altogether silent! and it would be your wisdom.  

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  Hear now my defence, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips.  

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  Will ye speak unrighteously for ùGod? and for him speak deceit?  

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  Will ye accept his person? will ye contend for ùGod?  

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  Will it be well if he should search you out? or as one mocketh at a man, will ye mock at him?  

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  He will certainly reprove you, if ye do secretly accept persons.  

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  Shall not his excellency terrify you? and his dread fall upon you?  

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  Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, your bulwarks are bulwarks of mire.  

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  Hold your peace from me, and I will speak, and let come on me what [will]!  

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  Wherefore should I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand?  

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  Behold, if he slay me, yet would I trust in him; but I will defend mine own ways before him.  

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  This also shall be my salvation, that a profane man shall not come before his face.  

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  Hear attentively my speech and my declaration with your ears.  

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  Behold now, I have ordered the cause; I know that I shall be justified.  

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  Who is he that contendeth with me? For if I were silent now, I should expire.  

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  Only do not two things unto me; then will I not hide myself from thee.  

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  Withdraw thy hand far from me; and let not thy terror make me afraid:  

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  Then call, and I will answer; or I will speak, and answer thou me.  

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

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  Wherefore dost thou hide thy face, and countest me for thine enemy?  

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  Wilt thou terrify a driven leaf? and wilt thou pursue dry stubble?  

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  For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth;  

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  And thou puttest my feet in the stocks, and markest all my paths; thou settest a bound about the soles of my feet; --  

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  One who, as a rotten thing consumeth, as a garment that the moth eateth.  

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