13Verse 1“Indeed, my eyes have seen all this;my ears have heard and understood.Verse 2What you know, I also know;I am not inferior to you.Verse 3Yet I desire to speak to the Almightyand argue my case before God.Verse 4You, however, smear with lies;you are all worthless physicians.Verse 5If only you would remain silent;for that would be your wisdom!Verse 6Hear now my argument,and listen to the plea of my lips.Verse 7Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalfor speak deceitfully for Him?Verse 8Would you show Him partialityor argue in His defense?Verse 9Would it be well when He examined you?Could you deceive Him as you would deceive a man?Verse 10Surely He would rebuke youif you secretly showed partiality.Verse 11Would His majesty not terrify you?Would the dread of Him not fall upon you?Verse 12Your maxims are proverbs of ashes;your defenses are defenses of clay.Verse 13Be silent, and I will speak.Then let come to me what may.Verse 14Why do I put myself at risk+and take my life in my own hands?Verse 15Though He slay me, I will hope in Him.+I will still defend my ways to His face.Verse 16Moreover, this will be my salvation,for no godless man can appear before Him.Verse 17Listen carefully to my words;let my declaration ring in your ears.Verse 18See now, I have prepared my case;I know that I will be vindicated.Verse 19Can anyone indict me?If so, I will be silent and die.Verse 20Only grant these two things to me,so that I need not hide from You:Verse 21Withdraw Your hand from me,and do not let Your terror frighten me.Verse 22Then call me, and I will answer,or let me speak, and You can reply.Verse 23How many are my iniquities and sins?Reveal to me my transgression and sin.Verse 24Why do You hide Your faceand consider me as Your enemy?Verse 25Would You frighten a windblown leaf?Would You chase after dry chaff?Verse 26For You record bitter accusations against meand bequeath to me the iniquities of my youth.Verse 27You put my feet in the stocksand stand watch over all my paths;You set a limitfor the soles of my feet.Verse 28So man wastes away like something rotten,like a moth-eaten garment.