Chapter 13

¹Behold my eye hath seen all these things, and my ear hath heard them, and I have understood them all. ²According to your knowledge I also know: neither am I inferior to you. ³But yet I will speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God. ⁴Having first shewn that you are forgers of lies, and maintainers of perverse opinions. ⁵And I wish you would hold your peace, that you might be thought to be wise men.. ⁶Hear ye therefore my reproof, and attend to the judgment of my lips. ⁷Hath God any need of your lie, that you should speak deceitfully for him? ⁸Do you accept his person, and do you endeavour to judge for God? ⁹Or shall it please him, from whom nothing can be concealed ? or shall he be deceived as a man, with your deceitful dealings ? ¹⁰He shall reprove you, because in secret you accept his person. ¹¹As soon as he shall move himself, he shall trouble you: and his dread shall fall upon you. ¹²Your remembrance shall be compared to ashes, and your necks shall be brought to clay. ¹³Hold your peace a little while, that I may speak whatsoever my mind shall suggest to me. ¹⁴Why do I tear my flesh with my teeth, and carry my soul in my hands? ¹⁵Although he should bill me, I will trust in him: but yet I will reprove my ways in his sight. ¹⁶And he shall be my saviour: for no hypocrite shall come before his presence. ¹⁷Hear ye my speech, and receive with Sour ears hidden truths. ¹⁸If I shall be judged, I know that I shall be found just. ¹⁹Who is he that will plead against me? let him come: why am I consumed holding my peace? ²⁰Two things only do not to me, and then from thy face I shall not be hid: ²¹Withdraw thy hand far from me, and let not thy dread terrify me. ²²Call me, and I will answer thee: or else I will speak, and do thou answer me. ²³How many are my iniquities and sins? make me know my crimes and offences. ²⁴Why hidest thou thy face, and thinkest me thy enemy? ²⁵Against a leaf, that is carried away with the wind, thou shewest thy power, and thou pursuest a dry straw. ²⁶For thou writest bitter things against me, and wilt consume me for the sins of my youth. ²⁷Thou hast put my feet in the stocks, and hast observed all my paths, and hast considered the steps of my feet: ²⁸Who am to be consumed as rottenness, and as a garment that is moth-eaten.