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13:1  "Look, I have seen all this with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears, and now I understand.
13:2  I know as much as you do. You are no better than I am.
13:3  As for me, I would speak directly to the Almighty. I want to argue my case with God himself.
13:4  As for you, you smear me with lies. As physicians, you are worthless quacks.
13:5  If only you could be silent! That's the wisest thing you could do.
13:6  Listen to my charge; pay attention to my arguments.
13:7  "Are you defending God with lies? Do you make your dishonest arguments for his sake?
13:8  Will you slant your testimony in his favor? Will you argue God's case for him?
13:9  What will happen when he finds out what you are doing? Can you fool him as easily as you fool people?
13:10  No, you will be in trouble with him if you secretly slant your testimony in his favor.
13:11  Doesn't his majesty terrify you? Doesn't your fear of him overwhelm you?
13:12  Your platitudes are as valuable as ashes. Your defense is as fragile as a clay pot.
13:13  "Be silent now and leave me alone. Let me speak, and I will face the consequences.
13:14  Yes, I will take my life in my hands and say what I really think.
13:15  God might kill me, but I have no other hope. I am going to argue my case with him.
13:16  But this is what will save me--I am not godless. If I were, I could not stand before him.
13:17  "Listen closely to what I am about to say. Hear me out.
13:18  I have prepared my case; I will be proved innocent.
13:19  Who can argue with me over this? And if you prove me wrong, I will remain silent and die.
13:20  "O God, grant me these two things, and then I will be able to face you.
13:21  Remove your heavy hand from me, and don't terrify me with your awesome presence.
13:22  Now summon me, and I will answer! Or let me speak to you, and you reply.
13:23  Tell me, what have I done wrong? Show me my rebellion and my sin.
13:24  Why do you turn away from me? Why do you treat me as your enemy?
13:25  Would you terrify a leaf blown by the wind? Would you chase dry straw?
13:26  "You write bitter accusations against me and bring up all the sins of my youth.
13:27  You put my feet in stocks. You examine all my paths. You trace all my footprints.
13:28  I waste away like rotting wood, like a moth-eaten coat.