1 Behold, mine eye has seen these things, and mine ear has heard them.
2 And I know all that ye too know ; and I have not less understanding than you.
3 Nevertheless I will speak to the Lord, and I will reason before him, if he will.
4 But ye are all bad physicians, and healers of diseases.
5 But would that ye were silent, and it would be wisdom to you in the end.
6 But hear ye the reasoning of my mouth, and attend to the judgment of my lips.
7 Do ye not speak before the Lord, and utter deceit before him ?
8 Or will ye draw back ? nay, do ye yourselves be judges.
9 For it were well if he would thoroughly search you : for though doing all things in your power ye should attach yourselves to him,
10 he will not reprove you at all the less : but if moreover ye should secretly respect persons,
11 shall not his whirlpool sweep you round, and terror from him fall upon you ?
12 And your glorying shall prove in the end to you like ashes, and your body like a body of clay.
13 Be silent, that I may speak, and cease from mine anger,
14 while I may take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand.
15 Though the Mighty One should lay hand upon me, forasmuch as he has begun, verily I will speak, and plead before him.
16 And this shall turn to me for salvation ; for fraud shall have no entrance before him.
17 Hear, hear ye my words, for I will declare in your hearing.
18 Behold, I am near my judgment : I know that I shall appear evidently just.
19 For who is he that shall plead with me, that I should now be silent, and expire ?
20 But grant me two things : then I will not hide myself from thy face.
21 Withhold thine hand from me : and let not thy fear terrify me.
22 Then shalt thou call, and I will hearken to thee : or thou shalt speak, and I will give thee an answer.
23 How many are my sins and my transgressions ? teach me what they are.
24 Wherefore hidest thou thyself from me, and deemest me thine enemy ?
25 Wilt thou be startled at me, as at a leaf shaken by the wind ? or wilt thou set thyself against me as against grass borne upon the breeze ?
26 For thou hast written evil things against me, and thou hast compassed me with the sins of my youth.
27 And thou hast placed my foot in the stocks ; and thou hast watched all my works, and hast penetrated to my heels.
28 I am as that which waxes old like a bottle, or like a moth-eaten garment.