13“Be silent before me so that I may speak;
         Then let come on me what may.

14“Why should I take my flesh in my teeth
         And put my life in my hands?

15“Though He slay me,
         I will hope in Him.
         Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him.

16“This also will be my salvation,
         For a godless man may not come before His presence.

17“Listen carefully to my speech,
         And let my declaration fill your ears.

18“Behold now, I have prepared my case;
         I know that I will be vindicated.

19“Who will contend with me?
         For then I would be silent and die.

20“Only two things do not do to me,
         Then I will not hide from Your face:

21Remove Your hand from me,
         And let not the dread of You terrify me.

22“Then call, and I will answer;
         Or let me speak, then reply to me.

23“How many are my iniquities and sins?
         Make known to me my rebellion and my sin.

24“Why do You hide Your face
         And consider me Your enemy?

25“Will You cause a driven leaf to tremble?
         Or will You pursue the dry chaff?

26“For You write bitter things against me
         And make me to inherit the iniquities of my youth.

27“You put my feet in the stocks
         And watch all my paths;
         You set a limit for the soles of my feet,

28While I am decaying like a rotten thing,
         Like a garment that is moth-eaten.

NASB ©1995