| 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. |