1 ¶ Behold, my eyes have seen all this; my ears have heard and understood it.

2 A s you know it, I know it; I am not inferior unto you.

3 B ut I would speak with the Almighty, and I desired to dispute with God.

4 T hat ye are certainly forgers of lies; ye are all physicians of no value.

5 O that ye would altogether be silent! And it would be unto you instead of wisdom.

6 H ear now my dispute, and hearken to the arguments of my lips.

7 A re ye to speak iniquity for God? Are ye to speak deceitfully for him?

8 A re ye to bring honour unto him? Are ye to contend for God?

9 W ould it be good for him to search you out? As one man mocks another, do ye so mock him?

10 H e will reprove you severely, if in secret you give him such honour.

11 C ertainly his excellency should make you afraid, and his dread should fall upon you.

12 Y our memories shall be compared unto ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay.

13 ¶ Listen to me, and I will speak, and afterward let come on me what will.

14 W hy shall I take my flesh in my teeth and put my life in the palm of my hand?

15 T hough he slay me, yet I will trust in him; but I will defend my ways before him.

16 H e also shall be my saving health; for the hypocrite shall not enter into his presence.

17 H ear diligently my reason and my declaration with your ears.

18 B ehold now, if I draw near unto the judgment; I know that I shall be justified.

19 W ho is he that will contend with me? For now, if I remain silent, I shall die.

20 A t the least, grant me these two things; then I will not hide myself from thee:

21 w ithdraw thy hand from me; and let not thy dread make me afraid.

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

23 ¶ How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgression and my sin.

24 W hy dost thou hide thy face, and hold me for thine enemy?

25 W ilt thou break a leaf driven to and fro? Wilt thou pursue the dry stubble?

26 W hy dost thou write bitter things against me and make me carry the iniquities of my youth.

27 T hou dost put my feet also in the stocks and look narrowly unto all my paths; thou dost set a print upon the heels of my feet.

28 A nd man, is as a rotten thing that is being consumed, as a garment that is moth eaten.