[1] ˻Job said,˼ “I have seen all this before. I have already heard everything you say. I understand all of those things.
[2] I know as much as you do. I am as smart as you are.
[3] But I don’t want to argue with you. I want to speak to God All-Powerful. I want to argue with God about my troubles.
[4] But you three men try to cover up your ignorance with lies. You are like worthless doctors that can’t heal anyone.
[5] I wish you would just be quiet. That would be the wisest thing you could do.
[6] “Now, listen to my argument. Listen to what I have to say.
[7] Will you speak lies for God? Do you really believe your lies are what God wants you to say?
[8] Are you trying to defend God against me? You are not being fair— You are choosing God's side simply because he is God.
[9] If God checked you very closely, would he show you are right? Do you really think you can fool God the same as you fool people?
[10] You know God would criticize you if you chose a person’s side in court simply because he was important.
[11] God’s majesty ˻(importance)˼ scares you. You are afraid of him.
[12] Your arguments are worth nothing. Your answers are worthless.
[13] “Be quiet and let me talk! I accept whatever happens to me.
[14] I will put myself in danger, and take my life in my own hands.
[15] I will continue to trust God even if God kills me. But I will defend myself to his face.
[16] And if God lets me live, it will be because I was brave enough to speak. No evil person would dare meet God face to face.
[17] Listen carefully to what I say. Let me explain.
[18] I am ready now to defend myself. I will carefully present my arguments. I know I will be shown to be right.
[19] If any person can prove I am wrong, then I will shut up immediately.
[20] “God, just give me two things, and then I won’t hide from you:
[21] Stop punishing me, and stop scaring me with your terrors.
[22] Then call to me and I will answer you. Or let me speak, and you answer me.
[23] How many sins have I done? What have I done wrong? Show me my sins and my wrongs.
[24] God, why do you avoid me, and treat me like your enemy?
[25] Are you trying to scare me? I am only a leaf blowing in the wind. You are attacking a little piece of straw!
[26] God, you say bitter things against me. Are you making me suffer for the sins I did when I was young.
[27] You have put chains on my feet. You watch every step I take. You watch every move I make.
[28] So I am becoming weaker and weaker like a piece of wood rotting away, like a piece of cloth eaten by moths.”