13:3 Oh, how I long to speak directly to the Almighty. I want to talk this over with God himself.
13:4 For you are misinterpreting the whole thing. You are doctors who don’t know what they are doing.
13:5 Oh, please be quiet! That would be your highest wisdom.
13:6 “Listen to me now, to my reasons for what I think and to my pleadings.
13:7 “Must you go on ‘speaking for God’ when he never once has said the things that you are putting in his mouth?
13:8 Does God want your help if you are going to twist the truth for him?
13:9 Be careful that he doesn’t find out what you are doing! Or do you think you can fool God as well as men?
13:10 No, you will be in serious trouble with him if you use lies to try to help him out.
13:11 Doesn’t his majesty strike terror to your heart? How can you do this thing?
13:12 These tremendous statements you have made have about as much value as ashes. Your defense of God is as fragile as a clay vase!
13:13 “Be silent now and leave me alone, that I may speak—and I am willing to face the consequences.
13:14 Yes, I will take my life in my hand and say what I really think.
13:15 God may kill me for saying this—in fact, I expect him to. Nevertheless, I am going to argue my case with him.
13:16 This at least will be in my favor, that I am not godless, to be rejected instantly from his presence.
13:17 Listen closely to what I am about to say. Hear me out.
13:18 “This is my case: I know that I am righteous.
13:19 Who can argue with me over this? If you could prove me wrong, I would stop defending myself and die.
13:20 “O God, there are two things I beg you not to do to me; only then will I be able to face you.
13:21 Don’t abandon me. And don’t terrify me with your awesome presence.
13:22 Call to me to come—how quickly I will answer! Or let me speak to you, and you reply.
13:23 Tell me, what have I done wrong? Help me! Point out my sin to me.
13:24 Why do you turn away from me? Why hand me over to my enemy?
13:25 Would you blame a leaf that is blown about by the wind? Will you chase dry, useless straws?
13:26 “You write bitter things against me and bring up all the follies of my youth.
13:27 You send me to prison and shut me in on every side. I am like a fallen, rotten tree, like a moth-eaten coat.
13:28 You send me to prison and shut me in on every side. I am like a fallen, rotten tree, like a moth-eaten coat.
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