[1] “Behold, my eye has seen all this, My ear has heard and understood it.
[2] What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.
[3] But I would speak to the Almighty, And I desire to reason with God.
[4] But you forgers of lies, You are all worthless physicians.
[5] Oh, that you would be silent, And it would be your wisdom!
[6] Now hear my reasoning, And heed the pleadings of my lips.
[7] Will you speak wickedly for God, And talk deceitfully for Him?
[8] Will you show partiality for Him? Will you contend for God?
[9] Will it be well when He searches you out? Or can you mock Him as one mocks a man?
[10] He will surely rebuke you If you secretly show partiality.
[11] Will not His excellence make you afraid, And the dread of Him fall upon you?
[12] Your platitudes are proverbs of ashes, Your defenses are defenses of clay.
[13] “Hold your peace with me, and let me speak, Then let come on me what may!
[14] Why do I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hands?
[15] Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.
[16] He also shall be my salvation, For a hypocrite could not come before Him.
[17] Listen carefully to my speech, And to my declaration with your ears.
[18] See now, I have prepared my case, I know that I shall be vindicated.
[19] Who is he who will contend with me? If now I hold my tongue, I perish.
[20] “Only two things do not do to me, Then I will not hide myself from You:
[21] Withdraw Your hand far from me, And let not the dread of You make me afraid.
[22] Then call, and I will answer; Or let me speak, then You respond to me.
[23] How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me know my transgression and my sin.
[24] Why do You hide Your face, And regard me as Your enemy?
[25] Will You frighten a leaf driven to and fro? And will You pursue dry stubble?
[26] For You write bitter things against me, And make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.
[27] You put my feet in the stocks, And watch closely all my paths. You set a limit for the soles of my feet.
[28] “Man decays like a rotten thing, Like a garment that is moth-eaten.