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13:1  “All this I have seen with my own eyes; with my own ears I have heard and understood it.
13:2  Whatever you know, I know too; I am not inferior to you.
13:3  However, it’s Shaddai I want to speak with; I want to prove my case to God.
13:4  But you, what you do is whitewash with lies; you are all witch doctors!
13:5  I wish you would just stay silent; for you, that would be wisdom!
13:6  “Now listen to my reasoning, pay attention to how I present my dispute.
13:7  Is it for God’s sake that you speak so wickedly? for him that you talk deceitfully?
13:8  Do you need to take his side and plead God’s case for him?
13:9  If he examines you, will all go well? Can you deceive him, as one man deceives another?
13:10  If you are secretly flattering [him], he will surely rebuke you.
13:11  Doesn’t God’s majesty terrify you? Aren’t you overcome with dread of him?
13:12  Your maxims are garbage-proverbs; your answers crumble like clay.
13:13  “So be quiet! Let me be! I’ll do the talking, come on me what may!
13:14  Why am I taking my flesh in my teeth, taking my life in my hands?
13:15  Look, he will kill me — I don’t expect more, but I will still defend my ways to his face.
13:16  And this is what will save me — that a hypocrite cannot appear before him.
13:17  “Listen closely, then, to my words; pay attention to what I am saying.
13:18  Here, now, I have prepared my case; I know I am in the right.
13:19  If anyone can contend with me, I will be quiet and die!
13:20  “Only grant two things to me, God; then I won’t hide myself from your face —
13:21  take your hand away from me, and don’t let fear of you frighten me.
13:22  Then, if you call, I will answer. Or let me speak, and you, answer me!
13:23  How many crimes and sins have I committed? Make me know my transgression and sin.
13:24  Why do you hide your face and think of me as your enemy?
13:25  Do you want to harass a wind-driven leaf? do you want to pursue a dry straw?
13:26  Is this why you draw up bitter charges against me and punish me for the faults of my youth?
13:27  You put my feet in the stocks, you watch me closely wherever I go, you trace out each footprint of mine —
13:28  though [my body] decays like something rotten or like a moth-eaten garment.