1 Lo, mine eye hath seen all this, Mine ear hath heard and understood it.
2 What ye know, the same do I know also : I am not inferior unto you.
3 Surely I would speak to the Almighty, And I desire to reason with God.
4 But ye are forgers 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 partiality to him ? Will ye contend for God ?
9 Is it good that he should search you out ? Or as one deceiveth a man, will ye deceive him ?
10 He will surely reprove you, If ye do secretly show partiality.
11 Shall not his majesty make you afraid, And his dread fall upon you ?
12 Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defences are defences of clay.
13 Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak ; And let come on me what will.
14 Wherefore should I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hand ?
15 Behold, he will slay me ; I have no hope : Nevertheless I will maintain my ways before him.
16 This also shall be my salvation, That a godless man shall not come before him.
17 Hear diligently my speech, And let my declaration be in your ears.
18 Behold now, I have set my cause in order ; I know that I am righteous.
19 Who is he that will contend with me ? For then would I hold my peace and give up the ghost.
20 Only do not two things unto me ; Then will I not hide myself from thy face :
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 For thou writest bitter things against me, And makest me to inherit the iniquities of my youth :
27 Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, And markest all my paths ; Thou settest a bound to the soles of my feet :
28 Though I am like a rotten thing that consumeth, Like a garment that is moth-eaten.