1 B ehold, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it.

2 W hat you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.

3 S urely I wish to speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue and reason my case with God.

4 B ut you are forgers of lies; you are all physicians of no value and have no remedy to offer.

5 O h, that you would altogether hold your peace! Then you would evidence your wisdom and you might pass for wise men.

6 H ear now my reasoning, and listen to the pleadings of my lips.

7 W ill you speak unrighteously for God and talk deceitfully for Him?

8 W ill you show partiality to Him ? Will you act as special pleaders for God?

9 W ould it be profitable for you if He should investigate your tactics ? Or as one deceives and mocks a man, do you deceive and mock Him?

10 H e will surely reprove you if you do secretly show partiality.

11 S hall not His majesty make you afraid, and should not your awe for Him restrain you?

12 Y our memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.

13 H old your peace! Let me alone, so I may speak; and let come on me what may.

14 W hy should I take my flesh in my teeth and put my life in my hands ?

15 b ehold, He will slay me; I have no hope—nevertheless, I will maintain and argue my ways before Him and even to His face.

16 T his will be my salvation, that a polluted and godless man shall not come before Him.

17 L isten diligently to my speech, and let my declaration be in your ears.

18 B ehold now, I have prepared my case; I know that I shall be justified and vindicated.

19 W ho is he who will argue against and refute me? For then I would hold my peace and expire.

20 O nly grant two conditions to me, and then will I not hide myself from You:

21 W ithdraw Your hand and take this bodily suffering far from me; and let not my dread of You terrify me.

22 T hen call and I will answer, or let me speak, and You answer me.

23 H ow many are my iniquities and sins ? Make me recognize and know my transgression and my sin.

24 W hy do You hide Your face and alienate me as if I were Your enemy?

25 W ill You harass and frighten a leaf driven to and fro, and will You pursue the chaff of the dry stubble?

26 F or You write bitter things against me and make me inherit and be accountable now for the iniquities of my youth.

27 Y ou put my feet also in the stocks and observe critically all my paths; You set a circle and limit around the soles of my feet.

28 A nd he wastes away as a rotten thing, like a garment that is moth-eaten.