1“My eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it. 2What you know, I also know; I am not inferior unto you. 3I desire to speak to the Almighty, and to reason with God. 4But you fabricate lies that slander me; you are all physicians that cannot heal. 5O that you would maintain your silence; and for you, that silence would be wisdom. 6Hear, now, my reasoning, and listen to my pleadings. 7Will you speak untruths for God? And talk deceitfully for Him? 8Will you side with God to curry favor with Him? Will you contend and plead for God? 9Will it be good for you when He examines your treatment of me? Or will you mock Him as you mock me? 10He will surely reprimand you, if you secretly show partiality. 11Shall not His excellency make you afraid? And shall not the dread of Him fall upon you? 12Your remembrances are worthless; your presence like crumbling clay.

13“Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come to me what may. 14Why should I put myself in jeopardy, and take my life in my hands? 15Though He slays me, yet will I trust in Him; yet I will defend my position before Him. 16He also shall be my salvation; for a godless hypocrite would not dare to come before Him. 17Listen carefully to my speech, and let my declaration sink into your ears. 18Behold now, I have prepared my case; I know that I shall be justified. 19Who will plead with me? For now, if I held my tongue, I would surely die. 20Only, Dear Lord, grant me these two things; and then I will not hide myself from You. 21Remove Your heavy hand far from me; and do not let Your dread make me afraid.

22“When You call, I will answer; or let me speak, and have You answer me. 23How many wrongs and sins have I committed, that so much calamity has befallen me? Help me to know my transgression and my sin. 24Why do You hide Your face, and treat me as Your enemy? 25Will You torment a windblown leaf? Will You pursue the dry stubble? 26For You write bitter things against me (in Your indictment of me), and make me own and suffer for the iniquities of my youth. 27You also put my feet in the stocks, and watch critically all my paths; You set a print upon the heels of my feet and trace my every step.

28“And I, as a rotten thing, waste away like a moth-eaten garment.