| New International Version | Berean Study Bible |
| 1"My eyes have seen all this, my ears have heard and understood it. | 1“Indeed, my eyes have seen all this; my ears have heard and understood. |
| 2What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you. | 2What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you. |
| 3But I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God. | 3Yet I desire to speak to the Almighty and argue my case before God. |
| 4You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you! | 4You, however, smear with lies; you are all worthless physicians. |
| 5If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom. | 5If only you would remain silent; for that would be your wisdom! |
| 6Hear now my argument; listen to the pleas of my lips. | 6Hear now my argument, and listen to the plea of my lips. |
| 7Will you speak wickedly on God's behalf? Will you speak deceitfully for him? | 7Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf or speak deceitfully for Him? |
| 8Will you show him partiality? Will you argue the case for God? | 8Would you show Him partiality or argue in His defense? |
| 9Would it turn out well if he examined you? Could you deceive him as you might deceive a mortal? | 9Would it be well when He examined you? Could you deceive Him like a man? |
| 10He would surely call you to account if you secretly showed partiality. | 10Surely He would rebuke you if you secretly showed partiality. |
| 11Would not his splendor terrify you? Would not the dread of him fall on you? | 11Would His majesty not terrify you? Would the dread of Him not fall upon you? |
| 12Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay. | 12Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay. |
| 13"Keep silent and let me speak; then let come to me what may. | 13Be silent, and I will speak. Then let come to me what may. |
| 14Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands? | 14Why do I put myself at risk and take my life in my own hands? |
| 15Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face. | 15Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. I will still defend my ways to His face. |
| 16Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless person would dare come before him! | 16Moreover, this will be my salvation, for no godless man can appear before Him. |
| 17Listen carefully to what I say; let my words ring in your ears. | 17Listen carefully to my words; let my declaration ring in your ears. |
| 18Now that I have prepared my case, I know I will be vindicated. | 18Behold, now that I have prepared my case, I know that I will be vindicated. |
| 19Can anyone bring charges against me? If so, I will be silent and die. | 19Can anyone indict me? If so, I will be silent and die. |
| 20"Only grant me these two things, God, and then I will not hide from you: | 20Only grant these two things to me, so that I need not hide from You: |
| 21Withdraw your hand far from me, and stop frightening me with your terrors. | 21Withdraw Your hand from me, and do not let Your terror frighten me. |
| 22Then summon me and I will answer, or let me speak, and you reply to me. | 22Then call me, and I will answer, or let me speak, and You can reply. |
| 23How many wrongs and sins have I committed? Show me my offense and my sin. | 23How many are my iniquities and sins? Reveal to me my transgression and sin. |
| 24Why do you hide your face and consider me your enemy? | 24Why do You hide Your face and consider me as Your enemy? |
| 25Will you torment a windblown leaf? Will you chase after dry chaff? | 25Would You frighten a windblown leaf? Would You chase after dry chaff? |
| 26For you write down bitter things against me and make me reap the sins of my youth. | 26For You record bitter accusations against me and bequeath to me the iniquities of my youth. |
| 27You fasten my feet in shackles; you keep close watch on all my paths by putting marks on the soles of my feet. | 27You put my feet in the stocks and stand watch over all my paths; You set a limit for the soles of my feet. |
| 28"So man wastes away like something rotten, like a garment eaten by moths. | 28So man wastes away like something rotten, like a moth-eaten garment. |
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