Job 13

¹ Lo, mine eye hath seen all this, Mine ear hath heard and understood it.

² What ye know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you.

³ Surely I would speak to the Almighty, And I desire to reason with God.

⁴ But ye are forgers of lies; Ye are all physicians of no value.

⁵ Oh that ye would altogether hold your peace! And it would be your wisdom.

⁶ Hear now my reasoning, And hearken to the pleadings of my lips.

⁷ Will ye speak unrighteously for God, And talk deceitfully for him?

⁸ Will ye show partiality to him? Will ye contend for God?

⁹ Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceiveth a man, will ye deceive him?

¹⁰ He will surely reprove you, If ye do secretly show partiality.

¹¹ Shall not his majesty make you afraid, And his dread fall upon you?

¹² Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defences are defences of clay.

¹³ Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may 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, he will slay me; I have no hope: Nevertheless I will maintain my ways before him.

¹⁶ This also shall be my salvation, That a godless man shall not come before him.

¹⁷ Hear diligently my speech, And let my declaration be in your ears.

¹⁸ Behold now, I have set my cause in order; I know that I am righteous.

¹⁹ Who is he that will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and give up the ghost.

²⁰ Only do not two things unto me; Then will I not hide myself from thy face:

²¹ Withdraw thy hand far from me; And let not thy terror make me afraid.

²² Then call thou, and I will answer; Or let me speak, and answer thou me.

²³ How many are mine iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgression and my sin.

²⁴ Wherefore hidest thou thy face, And holdest me for thine enemy?

²⁵ Wilt thou harass a driven leaf? And wilt thou pursue the dry stubble?

²⁶ For thou writest bitter things against me, And makest me to inherit the iniquities of my youth:

²⁷ Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, And markest all my paths; Thou settest a bound to the soles of my feet:

²⁸ Though I am like a rotten thing that consumeth, Like a garment that is moth-eaten.