1Lo, mine eye hath seen all this: mine ear hath heard, and understood it.
2I know also as much as you know: I am not inferior unto you.
3But I will speak to the Almighty, and I desire to dispute with God.
4For indeed ye forge lies, and all you are physicians of no value.
5Oh, that you would hold your tongue, that it might be imputed to you for wisdom!
6Now hear my disputation, and give ear to the arguments of my lips.
7Will ye speak wickedly for God’s defense, and talk deceitfully for his cause?
8Will ye accept his person? or will ye contend for God?
9Is it well that he should seek of you? will you make a lie for him, as one lieth for a man?
10He will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly accept any person.
11Shall not his excellency make you afraid? and his fear fall upon you?
12Your memories may be compared unto ashes, and your bodies unto bodies of clay.
13Hold your tongues in my presence, that I may speak, and let come upon what will.
14Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my soul in my hand?
15Lo, though he slay me, yet will I trust in him, and I will reprove my ways in his sight.
16He shall be my salvation also: for the hypocrite shall not come before him.
17Hear diligently my words, and mark my talk.
18Behold now: if I prepare me to judgment, I know that I shall be justified.
19Who is he that will plead with me? for if I now hold my tongue, I die.
20But do not these two things unto me: then will I not hide myself from thee.
21Withdraw thine hand from me, and let not thy fear make me afraid.
22Then call thou, and I will answer: or let me speak, and answer thou me.
23How many are mine iniquities and sins, show me my rebellion and my sin.
24Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and takest me for thine enemy?
25Wilt thou break a leaf driven to and fro? and wilt thou pursue the dry stubble?
26For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth.
27Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, and lookest narrowly unto all my paths, and makest the print thereof in the heels of my feet.
28Such a one consumeth like a rotten thing, and as a garment that is moth-eaten.