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.
