1: "Behold, my eye has seen all this, My ear has heard and understood it.
2: What you know, I know also. I am not inferior to you.
3: "Surely I would speak to the Almighty. I desire to reason with God.
4: But you are forgers of lies. You are all physicians of no value.
5: Oh that you would be completely silent! Then you would be wise.
6: Hear now my reasoning. Listen to the pleadings of my lips.
7: Will you speak unrighteously for God, And talk deceitfully for him?
8: Will you show partiality to him? Will you contend for God?
9: Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceives a man, will you deceive him?
10: He will surely reprove you If you secretly show partiality.
11: Shall not his majesty make you afraid, And his dread fall on you?
12: Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defenses are defenses of clay.
13: "Be silent, leave me alone, that I may speak. Let come on me what will.
14: Why should I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hand?
15: Behold, he will kill me; I have no hope. Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him.
16: This also shall be my salvation, That a godless man shall not come before him.
17: Hear diligently my speech. Let my declaration be in your ears.
18: See now, I have set my cause in order. I know that I am righteous.
19: Who is he who will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and give up the spirit.
20: "Only don't do two things to me; Then I will not hide myself from your face:
21: Withdraw your hand far from me; And don't let your terror make me afraid.
22: Then call, and I will answer; Or let me speak, and you answer me.
23: How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me know my disobedience and my sin.
24: Why hide you your face, And hold me for your enemy?
25: Will you harass a driven leaf? Will you pursue the dry stubble?
26: For you write bitter things against me, And make me inherit the iniquities of my youth:
27: You also put my feet in the stocks, And mark all my paths. You set a bound to the soles of my feet:
28: Though I am decaying like a rotten thing, Like a garment that is moth-eaten.