1Lo, mine eye hath seen all [this], mine ear hath heard and understood it.

2What ye know, I know also: I am not inferior to you.

3But I will speak to the Almighty, and will find pleasure in reasoning with ³⁴God;

4For ye indeed are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.

5Oh that ye would be altogether silent! and it would be your wisdom.

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

7Will ye speak unrighteously for ³⁵God? and for him speak deceit?

8Will ye accept his person? will ye contend for ³⁶God?

9Will it be well if he should search you out? or as one mocketh at a man, will ye mock at him?

10He will certainly reprove you, if ye do secretly accept persons.

11Shall not his excellency terrify you? and his dread fall upon you?

12Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, your bulwarks are bulwarks of mire.

13Hold your peace from me, and I will speak, and let come on me what [will]!

14Wherefore should I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand?

15Behold, if he slay me, yet would I trust in him; but I will defend mine own ways before him.

16This also shall be my salvation, that a profane man shall not come before his face.

17Hear attentively my speech and my declaration with your ears.

18Behold now, I have ordered the cause; I know that I shall be justified.

19Who is he that contendeth with me? For if I were silent now, I should expire.

20Only do not two things unto me; then will I not hide myself from thee.

21Withdraw thy hand far from me; and let not thy terror make me afraid:

22Then call, and I will answer; or I will speak, and answer thou me.

23How many are mine iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgression and my sin.

24Wherefore dost thou hide thy face, and countest me for thine enemy?

25Wilt thou terrify a driven leaf? and wilt thou pursue dry stubble?

26For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth;

27And thou puttest my feet in the stocks, and markest all my paths; thou settest a bound about the soles of my feet; —

28One who, as a rotten thing consumeth, as a garment that the moth eateth.