[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.