[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] Won’t 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 will be my salvation, that a godless man will not come before him. [17] Listen carefully to 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 do you hide your face, and consider me 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.
