Worthless physicians, every one of you
1My eye has seen all this; my ear has heard it and taken it in. 2What you know, I know too; I am not beneath you. 3But I would speak to the Almighty; it is with God that I want to argue. 4You, though, are plasterers of lies, worthless physicians, every one of you. 5If only you would keep completely silent — that would be wisdom in you. 6Hear my argument now, and listen to the pleadings of my lips. 7Will you speak wrongly for God and speak deceit on his behalf? 8Will you show him favor? Will you argue the case for God? 9Will it go well when he examines you? Can you fool him as one fools a mortal? 10He will surely rebuke you if you show favor in secret. 11Will his majesty not terrify you, and his dread not fall on you? 12Your maxims are proverbs of ash; your defenses are defenses of clay. 13Be quiet before me and let me speak, and let come on me what may. 14Why do I take my flesh in my teeth and carry my life in my own hands? 15Though he kill me, I will wait for him; still, I will argue my ways to his face.* 16This too will be my deliverance: that no godless man comes before him. 17Listen closely to my words, and let my declaration be in your ears. 18See, I have laid out my case; I know that I will be proved right. 19Who is it that will contend with me? For then I would fall silent and die.
Why do you hide your face?
20Only do not do two things to me, and then I will not hide from your face: 21take your hand far off me, and do not let your terror frighten me. 22Then call, and I myself will answer; or let me speak, and bring me back your word. 23How many are my guilts and sins? Make me know my offense and my sin. 24Why do you hide your face and count me your enemy? 25Will you terrify a wind-blown leaf? Will you chase after dry chaff? 26For you write bitter things against me and make me inherit the guilt of my youth. 27You put my feet in the stocks and keep watch on all my paths; you scratch a line around the soles of my feet. 28And a man wears away like something rotten, like a garment eaten by moths.
Notes
- 13:15 — The Hebrew is written “I have no hope” and read “I will wait for him”. ZARZA follows the reading, as it does throughout; the written form says the opposite.
