[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]
Shall not 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 shall be
my salvation, That a godless man shall not come before him. [17] Hear
diligently 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 hide you your face,
And hold me for 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.
