³ Brace yourself like a man, For I will question you, then you answer me!

⁷ "Now brace yourself like a man. I will question you, and you will answer me.

¹³ Therefore, prepare your minds for action,{Literally, "gird up the loins of your mind"} be sober and set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ--

¹¹ This is how you shall eat it: with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste: it is Yahweh's Passover.

⁴⁶ and the hand of Yahweh was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.

¹⁷ You therefore gird up your loins, and arise, and speak to them all that I command you: don't be dismayed at them, lest I dismay you before them.

¹⁵ Behold, he will kill me; I have no hope. Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him.

²² Then call, and I will answer; Or let me speak, and you answer me.

³ Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!

⁴ I would set my cause in order before him, And fill my mouth with arguments.

⁵ I would know the words which he would answer me, And understand what he would tell me.

⁶ Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.

⁷ There the upright might reason with him, So I should be delivered forever from my judge.

³⁵ Oh that I had one to hear me! (Behold, here is my signature, let the Almighty answer me); Let the accuser write my indictment!

³⁶ Surely I would carry it on my shoulder; And I would bind it to me as a crown.

³⁷ I would declare to him the number of my steps. As a prince would I go near to him.