| 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. --
|