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 the Mighty God.
4 But you smear lies; you are all worthless physicians.
5 O that you would be silent and stop talking, and it would be your wisdom!
6 Now listen to my arguments, and pay attention to the complaint of my lips.
7 Will you speak unjustly for the Mighty God, and talk deceitfully for Him?
8 Will you show partiality for Him? Will you contend for the Mighty God?
9 Will it be well when He searches you out? Or do you mock Him as one mocks a man?
10 He will surely rebuke you if you secretly show partiality.
11 Will not His loftiness make you afraid, and the dread of Him fall upon you?
12 Your remembered proverbs are worthless; your backs are backs of clay.
13 Keep quiet, let me be, that I may speak; then let pass over me what will!
14 Why do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my soul in my hands?
15 Though He slay me, yet will I wait for Him; but I will prove my own ways before Him.
16 He also is my salvation, for a hypocrite can not come before Him.
17 Listen and pay attention to my speech; to my declaration with your ears.
18 Behold now, I have prepared my case; I know that I shall be justified.
19 Who is he who will contend with me? For if I am silent, I will die.
20 Only two things do not do to me, O God, then I will not hide myself from Your face:
21 Remove 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, and 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 terrify 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 all my paths. You set a limit for the soles of my feet;
28 worn out like a rotten thing, like a garment that is moth-eaten.