| 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. |