1See, mine eye hath seen all this,
mine ozen hath heard and understood it.

2What ye know, of the same I have da'as also;
I am not inferior unto you.

3Surely I would speak to Shaddai,
and I desire to reason with El (G-d).

4But ye are forgers of sheker,
ye are all rofim (physicians) of no value.

5O that ye would altogether hold your peace!
And it should be your chochmah.

6Hear now my tokhachat (protest, public argumentation),
and pay heed to the pleadings of my lips.

7Will ye talk wickedly on behalf of El (G-d)
and speak deceitfully for Him?

8Will ye be partial to Him?
Will ye play the part of the defense attorney for El?

9Is it hatov that He should search you out?
Or do you play the jester with Him, as one plays the jester with enosh?

10He will surely reprove you,
if ye do act with partiality beseter (secretly).

11Shall not His majesty make you afraid?
And the pachad of Him fall upon you?

12Your zichron meshalim (memorable sayings) are like unto ashes,
your defenses are strongholds of chomer (clay).

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

14Why do I take my basar in my teeth,
and take my nefesh in mine yad?

15Though He slay me, yet will I wait for and trust in Him;
but I will maintain my derech before Him. ³

16He also shall be my Yeshu'ah (salvation);
for a chanef (irreligious man, hypocrite) shall not come before Him.

17Hear diligently my confession,
and my declaration with your oznayim.

18Hinei now, I have prepared my mishpat (cause, case);
I know that I shall be acquitted.

19Who is he that can contend against me?
For atah (now), if I hold my tongue, I shall expire.

20Only do not shtayim (two things) unto me;
then will I not hide myself from Thee.

21Withdraw Thine hand far from me,
and let not Thy eimah (dread, terror) make me afraid.

22Then kerah (summon), and I will answer;
or let me speak, and answer me.

23How many are mine avonot and chatta'ot?
Make me to know my peysha and my chattat.

24Lammah (why) hidest Thou Thy face,
and holdest me for Thine enemy?

25Wilt Thou frighten away a leaf driven to and fro?
And wilt Thou pursue the dry kash (straw, chaff)?

26For Thou writest down merorot (bitter things) against me,
and makest me to inherit the avonot of my neurim (youth).

27Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks,
and observest kol orkhot (paths, ways) of me;
Thou settest a mark upon the soles of my raglayim,

28Around one who wastes away as a rotten thing,
as a beged (garment) that is moth eaten.