^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 [1] the Almighty, And I desire to argue with God.

^4. «But you smear with lies; You are all worthless physicians.

^5. «O that you would be completely silent, And that it would become your wisdom!

^6. «Please hear my argument And listen 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 be well when He examines you? Or will you deceive Him as one deceives a man?

^10. «He will surely reprove you If you secretly show partiality.

^11. «Will not His [2] majesty terrify you, And the dread of Him fall on 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 on me what may.

^14. «Why should I take my flesh in my teeth And put my life in my [3] hands?

^15. « Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Nevertheless I will argue my ways [4] before Him.

^16. «This also will be my salvation, For a godless man may not 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 will contend with me? For then I would be silent and die.

^20. «Only two things do not do to me, Then I will not hide from Your face:

^21. Remove Your [5] hand from me, And let not the dread of You terrify me.

^22. «Then call, and I will answer; Or let me speak, then reply to me.

^23. « How many are my iniquities and sins? Make known to me my [6] rebellion and my sin.

^24. «Why do You hide Your face And consider me Your enemy?

^25. «Will You cause a driven leaf to tremble? Or will You pursue the dry chaff?

^26. «For You write bitter things against me And make me to inherit the iniquities of my youth.

^27. «You put my feet in the stocks And watch all my paths; You [7] set a limit for the soles of my feet,

^28. While [8] I am decaying like a rotten thing, Like a garment that is moth-eaten.