13 “Look! All this my eye has seen,
My ear has heard and considers it.
2 What YOU men know I myself well know also;
I am not inferior to YOU.+
3 However, I, for my part, would speak to the Almighty himself,+
And in arguing with God I would find delight.
4 On the other hand, YOU men are smearers of falsehood;+
All of YOU are physicians of no value.+
5 If only YOU would absolutely keep silent,
That it might prove to be wisdom on YOUR part!+
6 Hear, please, my counterarguments,+
And to the pleadings of my lips pay attention.
7 Will YOU men speak unrighteousness for God himself,
And for him will YOU speak deceit?+
8 Will YOU be treating him with partiality,+
Or for the [true] God will YOU contend at law?
9 Would it be good that he sound YOU out?+
Or as one trifles with mortal man will YOU trifle with him?
10 He will positively reprove YOU+
If in secrecy YOU try to show partiality;+
11 Will not his very dignity make YOU start up with fright,
And the very dread of him fall upon YOU?+
12 YOUR memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes;
YOUR shield bosses are as shield bosses of clay.+
13 KEEP silent before me, that I myself may speak.
Then let come upon me whatever it may be!
14 Why do I carry my flesh in my teeth
And place my own soul in my palm?+
15 Even if he would slay me, would I not wait?+
I would only argue to his face for my own ways.
16 He would also be my salvation,+
For before him no apostate will come in.+
17 HEAR my word clear through,+
And let my declaration be in YOUR ears.
18 Look! Please, I have presented a case of justice;+
I well know that I myself am in the right.
19 Who is the one that will contend with me?+
For now were I to become silent I should simply expire!
20 Only two things do not do to me;
In that case I shall not conceal myself just on your account;+
21 Put your own hand far away from upon me,
And the fright of you—may it not terrify me.+
22 Either call that I myself may answer;
Or may I speak, and you return me answer.
23 In what way do I have errors and sins?
Make me to know my own revolt and my own sin.
24 Why do you conceal your very face+
And regard me as an enemy of yours?+
25 Will you make a mere leaf driven about quiver,
Or keep chasing after mere dry stubble?
26 For you keep writing against me bitter things+
And you make me possess [the consequences of] the errors of my youth.+
27 You also keep my feet put in the stocks,+
And you watch all my paths;
For the soles of my feet you mark your own line.
28 And he is like something rotten that wears out;+
Like a garment that a moth actually eats up.+