[1] "Lo, 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 my case with God. [4] As for you,
you whitewash with lies; worthless physicians are you all. [5] Oh that you
would keep silent, and it would be your wisdom! [6] Hear now my reasoning,
and listen to the pleadings of my lips. [7] Will you speak falsely for God,
and speak deceitfully for him? [8] Will you show partiality toward him,
will you plead the case for God? [9] Will it be well with you when he
searches you out? Or can you deceive him, as one deceives a man? [10] He
will surely rebuke you if in secret you show partiality. [11] Will not his
majesty terrify you, and the dread of him fall upon you? [12] Your maxims
are proverbs of ashes, your defenses are defenses of clay. [13] "Let me
have silence, and I will speak, and let come on me what may. [14] I will
take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand. [15] Behold, he will
slay me; I have no hope; yet I will defend my ways to his face. [16] This
will be my salvation, that a godless man shall not come before him. [17]
Listen carefully to my words, and let my declaration be in your ears. [18]
Behold, I have prepared my case; I know that I shall be vindicated. [19]
Who is there that will contend with me? For then I would be silent and die.
[20] Only grant two things to me, then I will not hide myself from thy
face: [21] withdraw thy hand far from me, and let not dread of thee terrify
me. [22] Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and do thou reply
to me. [23] How many are my iniquities and my sins? Make me know my
transgression and my sin. [24] Why dost thou hide thy face, and count me as
thy enemy? [25] Wilt thou frighten a driven leaf and pursue dry chaff+?
[26] For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me inherit the
iniquities of my youth. [27] Thou puttest my feet in the stocks, and
watchest all my paths; thou settest a bound to the soles of my feet. [28]
Man wastes away like a rotten thing, like a garment that is moth-eaten.