1 "See, my eye has seen it all; my ear has heard it and grasped it.
2 What you know I know as well; I do not fall short of you.
3 But it is to the Almighty that I would speak; I long to plead my case with God.
4 You, however, are plasterers of lies; physicians of no worth, all of you.
5 If only you would keep entirely quiet, and it would count as wisdom in you!
6 Hear my reasoning, please, and attend to the pleas of my lips.
7 Will you speak falsehood on God's behalf, and talk deceit for him?
8 Will you take his side? Will you argue the case for God?
9 Would it go well with you if he examined you? Or will you fool him as one fools a man?
10 He will certainly rebuke you if you secretly take sides.
11 Will his majesty not strike you with fear, and his dread fall on you?
12 Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ash; your bulwarks are bulwarks of clay.
13 Be quiet, leave me alone, and I will speak, and let whatever may come upon me.
14 Why should I carry my flesh in my teeth and take my life in my hand?
15 Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways before his face.
16 This too will be my salvation, for no godless man can come before him.
17 Listen closely to what I say, and let my statement enter your ears.
18 Look now, I have prepared my case; I know that I will be found in the right.
19 Who is it that will bring a charge against me? For then I would fall silent and die.
20 Only two things do not do to me, and then I will not hide from your face:
21 take your hand far off from me, and let not your terror dismay me.
22 Then call, and I will reply; or let me speak, and you answer me.
23 How many are my iniquities and my sins? Let me know my transgression and my sin.
24 Why do you conceal your face and regard me as your enemy?
25 Will you torment a windblown leaf? Will you chase after dry chaff?
26 For you write down bitter charges against me and make me heir to the iniquities of my youth.
27 You put my feet in the stocks and keep a watch on all my ways; you trace a line around the soles of my feet,
28 while man wears away like a rotten thing, like a garment eaten by moths.