13:1 Behold, mine eye has seen these things,
and mine ear has heard [them].
13:2 And I know all that ye too know; and I have not less understanding than
you.
13:3 Nevertheless I will speak to the Lord, and I will reason before him, if
he will.
13:4 But ye are all bad physicians, and healers of diseases.
13:5 But would that ye were silent, and it would be wisdom to you in the
end.
13:6 But hear ye the reasoning of my mouth, and attend to the judgment of my
lips.
13:7 Do ye not speak before the Lord, and utter deceit before him?
13:8 Or will ye draw back? nay do, ye yourselves be judges.
13:9 For [it were] well if he would thoroughly search you: for though doing
all things [in your power] ye should attach yourselves to him,
13:10 he will not reprove you at all the less: but if moreover ye should
secretly respect persons,
13:11 shall not his whirlpool sweep you round, and terror from him fall upon
you?
13:12 And your glorying shall prove in the end to you like ashes, and your
body [like a body] of clay.
13:13 Be silent, that I may speak, and cease from [mine] anger,
13:14 while I may take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand.
13:15 Though the Mighty One should lay hand upon me, forasmuch as he has
begun, verily I will speak, and plead before him.
13:16 And this shall turn to me for salvation; for fraud shall have no
entrance before him.
13:17 Hear, hear ye my words, for I will declare in your hearing.
13:18 Behold, I am near my judgment: I know that I shall appear evidently
just.
13:19 For who is he that shall plead with me, that I should now be silent,
and expire?
13:20 But grant me two things: then I will not hide myself from thy face.
13:21 Withhold [thine] hand from me: and let not thy fear terrify me.
13:22 Then shalt thou call, and I will hearken to thee: or thou shalt speak,
and I will give thee an answer.
13:23 How many are my sins and my transgressions? teach me what they are.
13:24 Wherefore hidest thou thyself from me, and deemest me thine enemy?
13:25 Wilt thou be startled [at me], as [at] a leaf shaken by the wind? or
wilt thou set thyself against me as against grass borne upon the breeze?
13:26 for thou hast written evil things against me, and thou hast compassed
me with the sins of my youth.
13:27 And thou hast placed my foot in the stocks; and thou hast watched all
my works, and hast penetrated my heels.
13:28 [I am as] that which waxes old like a bottle, or like a moth-eaten
garment. |
13:1 Lo, mine eye hath seen all this, mine
ear hath heard and understood it.
13:2 What ye know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you.
13:3 Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.
13:4 But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.
13:5 O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your
wisdom.
13:6 Hear now my reasoning, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips.
13:7 Will ye speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for him?
13:8 Will ye accept his person? will ye contend for God?
13:9 Is it good that he should search you out? or as one man mocketh
another, do ye so mock him?
13:10 He will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly accept persons.
13:11 Shall not his excellency make you afraid? and his dread fall upon you?
13:12 Your remembrances are like unto ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay.
13:13 Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me
what will.
13:14 Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine
hand?
13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine
own ways before him.
13:16 He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before
him.
13:17 Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears.
13:18 Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified.
13:19 Who is he that will plead with me? for now, if I hold my tongue, I
shall give up the ghost.
13:20 Only do not two things unto me: then will I not hide myself from thee.
13:21 Withdraw thine hand far from me: and let not thy dread make me afraid.
13:22 Then call thou, and I will answer: or let me speak, and answer thou
me.
13:23 How many are mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my
transgression and my sin.
13:24 Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and holdest me for thine enemy?
13:25 Wilt thou break a leaf driven to and fro? and wilt thou pursue the dry
stubble?
13:26 For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess
the iniquities of my youth.
13:27 Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, and lookest narrowly unto all
my paths; thou settest a print upon the heels of my feet.
13:28 And he, as a rotten thing, consumeth, as a garment that is moth eaten. |