1 L o, mine eye hath seen all this, Mine ear hath heard and understood it.

2 W hat ye know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you.

3 S urely I would speak to the Almighty, And I desire to reason with God.

4 B ut ye are forgers of lies; Ye are all physicians of no value.

5 O h that ye would altogether hold your peace! And it would be your wisdom.

6 H ear now my reasoning, And hearken to the pleadings of my lips.

7 W ill ye speak unrighteously for God, And talk deceitfully for him?

8 W ill ye show partiality to him? Will ye contend for God?

9 I s it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceiveth a man, will ye deceive him?

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

11 S hall not his majesty make you afraid, And his dread fall upon you?

12 Y our memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defences are defences of clay.

13 H old your peace, let me alone, that I may speak; And let come on me what will.

14 W herefore should I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hand?

15 B ehold, he will slay me; I have no hope: Nevertheless I will maintain my ways before him.

16 T his also shall be my salvation, That a godless man shall not come before him.

17 H ear diligently my speech, And let my declaration be in your ears.

18 B ehold now, I have set my cause in order; I know that I am righteous.

19 W ho is he that will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and give up the ghost.

20 O nly do not two things unto me; Then will I not hide myself from thy face:

21 W ithdraw thy hand far from me; And let not thy terror make me afraid.

22 T hen call thou, and I will answer; Or let me speak, and answer thou me.

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

24 W herefore hidest thou thy face, And holdest me for thine enemy?

25 W ilt thou harass a driven leaf? And wilt thou pursue the dry stubble?

26 F or thou writest bitter things against me, And makest me to inherit the iniquities of my youth:

27 T hou puttest my feet also in the stocks, And markest all my paths; Thou settest a bound to the soles of my feet:

28 T hough I am like a rotten thing that consumeth, Like a garment that is moth-eaten.