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[1]Lo, mine eye hath seen all this, mine ear hath heard and understood it.
[2]What ye know, do I know also; I am not inferior unto you.
[3]Notwithstanding I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.
[4]But ye are plasterers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.
[5]Oh that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it would be your wisdom.
[6]Hear now my reasoning, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips.
[7]Will ye speak unrighteously for God, and talk deceitfully for Him?
[8]Will ye show Him favour? Will ye contend for God?
[9]Would it be good that He should search you out? Or as one mocketh a man, will ye mock Him?
[10]He will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly show favour.
[11]Shall not His majesty terrify you, and His dread fall upon you?
[12]Your memorials shall be like unto ashes, your eminences to eminences of clay.
[13]Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what will.
[14]Wherefore? I will take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand.
[15]Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him; but I will argue my ways before Him.
[16]This also shall be my salvation, that a hypocrite cannot come before Him.
[17]Hear diligently my speech, and let my declaration be in your ears.
[18]Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified.
[19]Who is he that will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and die.
[20]Only do not two things unto me, then will I not hide myself from Thee:
[21]Withdraw Thy hand far from me; and let not Thy terror 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? Make me to know my transgression and my sin.
[24]Wherefore hidest Thou Thy face, and holdest me for Thine enemy?
[25]Wilt Thou harass a driven leaf? And wilt Thou pursue the dry stubble?
[26]That Thou shouldest write bitter things against me, and make me to inherit the iniquities of my youth.
[27]Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, and lookest narrowly unto all my paths; Thou drawest Thee a line about the soles of my feet;
[28]Though I am like a wine-skin that consumeth, like a garment that is moth-eaten.
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