1: Lo, mine eye hath seen all [this], Mine ear hath heard and understood it. 2: What ye know, [the same] do I know also: I am not inferior unto you. 3: Surely I would speak to the Almighty, And I desire to reason with God. 4: But ye are forgers of lies; Ye are all physicians of no value. 5: Oh that ye would altogether hold your peace! And it would be your wisdom. 6: Hear now my reasoning, And hearken to the pleadings of my lips. 7: Will ye speak unrighteously for God, And talk deceitfully for him? 8: Will ye show partiality to him? Will ye contend for God? 9: Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceiveth a man, will ye deceive him? 10: He will surely reprove you If ye do secretly show partiality. 11: Shall not his majesty make you afraid, And his dread fall upon you? 12: Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defences are defences of clay. 13: Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak; And let come on me what will. 14: Wherefore should I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hand? 15: Behold, he will slay 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, And let my declaration be in your ears. 18: Behold now, I have set my cause in order; I know that I am righteous. 19: Who is he that will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and give up the ghost. 20: Only do not two things unto me; Then will I not hide myself from thy face: 21: Withdraw thy hand far from me; And let not thy terror make me afraid. 22: Then call thou, and I will answer; Or let me speak, and answer thou me. 23: How many are mine iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgression and my sin. 24: Wherefore hidest thou thy face, And holdest me for thine enemy? 25: Wilt thou harass a driven leaf? And wilt thou pursue the dry stubble? 26: For thou writest bitter things against me, And makest me to inherit the iniquities of my youth: 27: Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, And markest all my paths; Thou settest a bound to the soles of my feet: 28: Though I am like a rotten thing that consumeth, Like a garment that is moth-eaten.
