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[1]Lo, mine eye hath seen all this: mine ear hath heard, and understand it.
[2]I know also as much as you know: I am not inferior unto you.
[3]But I will speak to the Almighty, and I desire to dispute with God.
[4]For indeed ye forge lies, and all you are physicians of no value.
[5]Oh, that you would hold your tongue, that it might be imputed to you for wisdom!
[6]Now hear my disputation, and give ear to the arguments of my lips.
[7]Will ye speak wickedly for God's defense, and talk deceitfully for his cause?
[8]Will ye accept his person? Or will ye contend for God?
[9]Is it well that he should seek of you? Will you make a lie for him, as one lieth for a man?
[10]He will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly accept any person.
[11]Shall not his excellency make you afraid? And his fear fall upon you?
[12]Your memories may be compared unto ashes, and your bodies to bodies of clay.
[13]Hold your tongues in my presence, that I may speak, and let come upon what will.
[14]Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my soul in mine hand?
[15]Lo, though he slay me, yet will I trust in him, and I will reprove my ways in his sight.
[16]He shall be my salvation also: for the hypocrite shall not come before him.
[17]Hear diligently my words, and mark my talk.
[18]Behold now: if I prepare me to judgment, I know that I shall be justified.
[19]Who is he, that will plead with me? For if I now hold my tongue, I die.
[20]But do not these two things unto me: then will I not hide myself from thee.
[21]Withdraw thine hand from me, and let not thy fear make me afraid.
[22]Then call thou, and I will answer: or let me speak, and answer thou me.
[23]How many are mine iniquities and sins? Show me my rebellion, and my sin.
[24]Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and takest me for thine enemy?
[25]Wilt thou break a leaf driven to and from? And wilt thou pursue the dry stubble?
[26]For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth.
[27]Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, and lookest narrowly unto all my paths, and makest the print thereof in the heels of my feet.
[28]Such one consumeth like a rotten thing, and as a garment that is moth eaten.
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