1Lo, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it.

2What you know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you.

3Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.

4But you are forgers of lies, you are all physicians of no value.

5O that you would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom.

6Hear now my reasoning, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips.

7Will you speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for him?

8Will you accept his person? will you contend for God?

9Is it good that he should search you out? or as one man mocks another, do you so mock him?

10He will surely reprove you, if you do secretly show partiality.

11Shall not his excellence make you afraid? and his dread fall upon you?

12Your proverbs are like unto ashes, your defenses are defenses of clay.

13Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what will.

14Why do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand?

15Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will defend my own ways before him.

16He also shall be my salvation: for a hypocrite shall not come before him.

17Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears.

18Behold now, I have prepared my case; I know that I shall be justified.

19Who is he that will contend with me? for now, if I hold my tongue, I shall die.

20Only do not two things unto me: then will I not hide myself from you.

21Withdraw your hand far from me: and let not your dread make me afraid.

22Then call, and I will answer: or let me speak, and you answer me.

23How many are my iniquities and sins? make me know my transgression and my sin.

24Why hide you your face, and hold me for your enemy?

25Will you break a leaf driven to and fro? and will you pursue the dry stubble?

26For you write bitter things against me, and make me possess the iniquities of my youth.

27You put my feet also in the stocks, and watch closely all my paths; you set a bound to the soles of my feet.

28And he, like a rotten thing, consumes, as a garment that is moth-eaten.