[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 argue with God. [4] “But you smear me with lies; You are all worthless physicians. [5] “Oh that you would be completely silent, And that it would become your wisdom! [6] “Please hear my argument, And give your attention to the contentions of my lips. [7] “Will you speak what is unjust for God, And speak what is deceitful for Him? [8] “Will you show partiality for Him? Will you contend for God? [9] “Will it go well when He examines you? Or will you deceive Him as one deceives a man? [10] “He will certainly punish you If you secretly show partiality. [11] “Will His majesty not terrify you, And the dread of Him fall upon you? [12] “Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defenses are defenses of clay. [13] “Be silent before me so that I may speak; Then let come upon me what may. [14] “Why should I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hands? [15] “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him. [16] “This also will be my salvation, For a godless person cannot come before His presence. [17] “Listen carefully to my speech, And let my declaration fill your ears. [18] “Behold now, I have prepared my case; I know that I will be vindicated. [19] “Who could contend with me? For then I would be silent and die. [20] “Only two things I ask that You do not do to me, Then I will not hide from Your face: [21] Remove Your hand from me, And may the dread of You not terrify me. [22] “Then call and I will answer; Or let me speak, then reply to me. [23] “How many are my guilty deeds and sins? Make known to me my wrongdoing and my sin. [24] “Why do You hide Your face And consider me Your enemy? [25] “Will You scare away a scattered leaf? Or will You pursue the dry chaff? [26] “For You write bitter things against me And make me inherit the guilty deeds of my youth. [27] “You put my feet in the stocks And watch all my paths; You set a limit for the soles of my feet, [28] While I am decaying like a rotten thing, Like a garment that is moth-eaten.
