1 "My eyes have seen all this, my ears have heard and understood it.
2 What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.
3 But I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God.
4 You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you!
5 If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.
6 Hear now my argument; listen to the pleas of my lips.
7 Will you speak wickedly on God's behalf? Will you speak deceitfully for him?
8 Will you show him partiality? Will you argue the case for God?
9 Would it turn out well if he examined you? Could you deceive him as you might deceive a mortal?
10 He would surely call you to account if you secretly showed partiality.
11 Would not his splendor terrify you? Would not the dread of him fall on you?
12 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.
13 "Keep silent and let me speak; then let come to me what may.
14 Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands?
15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely "defend my ways to his face.
16 Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless person would dare come before him!
17 Listen carefully to what I say; let my words ring in your ears.
18 Now that I have prepared my case, I know I will be vindicated.
19 Can anyone bring charges against me? If so, I will be silent and die.
20 "Only grant me these two things, God, and then I will not hide from you:
21 Withdraw your hand far from me, and stop frightening me with your terrors.
22 Then summon me and I will answer, or let me speak, and you reply to me.
23 How many wrongs and sins have I committed? Show me my offense and my sin.
24 Why do you hide your face and consider me your enemy?
25 Will you torment a windblown leaf? Will you chase after dry chaff?
26 For you write down bitter things against me and make me reap the sins of my youth.
27 You fasten my feet in shackles; you keep close watch on all my paths by putting marks on the soles of my feet.
28 "So man wastes away like something rotten, like a garment eaten by moths.
1 See, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it.
2 What you know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior to you.
3 Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.
4 But you are forgers of lies, you are all physicians of no value.
5 O that you would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom.
6 Hear now my reasoning, and listen to the pleadings of my lips.
7 Will you speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for him?
8 Will you accept his person? will you contend for God?
9 Is it good that he should search you out? or as one man mocks another, do you so mock him?
10 He will surely reprove you, if you do secretly accept persons.
11 Shall not his excellency make you afraid? and his dread fall on you?
12 Your remembrances are like to ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay.
13 Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what will.
14 Why do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand?
15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain my own ways before him.
16 He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him.
17 Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears.
18 Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified.
19 Who is he that will plead with me? for now, if I hold my tongue, I shall give up the ghost.
20 Only do not two things to me: then will I not hide myself from you.
21 Withdraw your hand far from me: and let not your dread make me afraid.
22 Then call you, and I will answer: or let me speak, and answer you me.
23 How many are my iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin.
24 Why hide you your face, and hold me for your enemy?
25 Will you break a leaf driven to and fro? and will you pursue the dry stubble?
26 For you write bitter things against me, and make me to possess the iniquities of my youth.
27 You put my feet also in the stocks, and look narrowly to all my paths; you set a print on the heels of my feet.
28 And he, as a rotten thing, consumes, as a garment that is moth eaten.