12. Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes [valueless]; your defenses are defenses of clay [and will crumble].
13. Hold your peace! Let me alone, so I may speak; and let come on me what may.
14. Why should I take my flesh in my teeth and put my life in my hands [incurring the danger of God's wrath]?
15. [I do it because, though He slay me, yet will I wait for and trust Him and] behold, He will slay me; I have no hope–nevertheless, I will maintain and argue my ways before Him and even to His face.
16. This will be my salvation, that a polluted and godless man shall not come before Him.
17. Listen diligently to my speech, and let my declaration be in your ears.