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 reason with God. |
4 But you forgers of lies, You are all worthless physicians. |
5 Oh, that you would be silent, And it would be your wisdom! |
6 Now hear my reasoning, And heed the pleadings of my lips. |
7 Will you speak wickedly for God, And talk deceitfully for Him? |
8 Will you show partiality for Him? Will you contend for God? |
9 Will it be well when He searches you out? Or can you mock Him as one mocks a man? |
10 He will surely rebuke you If you secretly show partiality. |
11 Will not His excellence make you afraid, And the dread of Him fall upon you? |
12 Your platitudes are proverbs of ashes, Your defenses are defenses of clay. |
13 "Hold your peace with me, and let me speak, Then let come on me what may! |
14 Why do I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hands? |
15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him. |
16 He also shall be my salvation, For a hypocrite could not come before Him. |
17 Listen carefully to my speech, And to my declaration with your ears. |
18 See now, I have prepared my case, I know that I shall be vindicated. |
19 Who is he who will contend with me? If now I hold my tongue, I perish. |
20 "Only two things do not do to me, Then I will not hide myself from You: |
21 Withdraw 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, then 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 frighten 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 closely all my paths. You set a limit for the soles of my feet. |
28 "Man decays like a rotten thing, Like a garment that is moth-eaten. |