| New International Version | Christian Standard Bible |
| 1"My eyes have seen all this, my ears have heard and understood it. | 1Look, my eyes have seen all this; my ears have heard and understood it. |
| 2What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you. | 2Everything 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 prefer 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 use lies like plaster; you are all worthless healers. |
| 5If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom. | 5If only you would shut up and let that be your wisdom! |
| 6Hear now my argument; listen to the pleas of my lips. | 6Hear now my argument, and listen to my defense. |
| 7Will you speak wickedly on God's behalf? Will you speak deceitfully for him? | 7Would you testify unjustly on God's behalf or speak deceitfully for him? |
| 8Will you show him partiality? Will you argue the case for God? | 8Would you show partiality to him or argue the case in his defense? |
| 9Would it turn out well if he examined you? Could you deceive him as you might deceive a mortal? | 9Would it go well if he examined you? Could you deceive him as you would deceive 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 God's majesty not terrify you? Would his dread not fall on you? |
| 12Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay. | 12Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ash; your defenses are made of clay. |
| 13"Keep silent and let me speak; then let come to me what may. | 13Be quiet, and I will speak. Let whatever comes happen to me. |
| 14Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands? | 14I will 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. | 15Even if he kills me, I will hope in him. I will still defend my ways before him. |
| 16Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless person would dare come before him! | 16Yes, this will result in my deliverance, for no godless person can appear before him. |
| 17Listen carefully to what I say; let my words ring in your ears. | 17Pay close attention to my words; let my declaration ring in your ears. |
| 18Now that I have prepared my case, I know I will be vindicated. | 18Now then, I have prepared my case; I know that I am right. |
| 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, God, so that I will not have to hide from your presence: |
| 21Withdraw your hand far from me, and stop frightening me with your terrors. | 21remove 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, and I will answer, or I will speak, and you can respond to me. |
| 23How many wrongs and sins have I committed? Show me my offense and my sin. | 23How many iniquities and sins have I committed? 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 your enemy? |
| 25Will you torment a windblown leaf? Will you chase after dry chaff? | 25Will you frighten a wind-driven leaf? Will you chase after dry straw? |
| 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 make me inherit 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, setting a limit for the soles of my feet. |
| 28"So man wastes away like something rotten, like a garment eaten by moths. | 28A person wears out like something rotten, like a moth-eaten garment. |
| New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. | The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. |
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