1. |
Lo, mine eye hath seen all `this', Mine ear hath heard and understood it. |
2. |
What ye know, `the same' do I know also: I am not inferior unto you. |
3. |
Surely I would speak to the Almighty, And I desire to reason with God. |
4. |
But ye are forgers of lies; Ye are all physicians of no value. |
5. |
Oh that ye would altogether hold your peace! And it would be your wisdom. |
6. |
Hear now my reasoning, And hearken to the pleadings of my lips. |
7. |
Will ye speak unrighteously for God, And talk deceitfully for him? |
8. |
Will ye show partiality to him? Will ye contend for God? |
9. |
Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceiveth a man, will ye deceive him? |
10. |
He will surely reprove you If ye do secretly show partiality. |
11. |
Shall not his majesty make you afraid, And his dread fall upon you? |
12. |
Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defences are defences of clay. |
13. |
Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak; And let come on me what will. |
14. |
Wherefore should I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hand? |
15. |
Behold, he will slay me; I have no hope: Nevertheless I will maintain my ways before him. |
16. |
This also shall be my salvation, That a godless man shall not come before him. |
17. |
Hear diligently my speech, And let my declaration be in your ears. |
18. |
Behold now, I have set my cause in order; I know that I am righteous. |
19. |
Who is he that will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and give up the ghost. |
20. |
Only do not two things unto me; Then will I not hide myself from thy face: |
21. |
Withdraw thy hand far from me; And let not thy terror make me afraid. |
22. |
Then call thou, and I will answer; Or let me speak, and answer thou me. |
23. |
How many are mine iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgression and my sin. |
24. |
Wherefore hidest thou thy face, And holdest me for thine enemy? |
25. |
Wilt thou harass a driven leaf? And wilt thou pursue the dry stubble? |
26. |
For thou writest bitter things against me, And makest me to inherit the iniquities of my youth: |
27. |
Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, And markest all my paths; Thou settest a bound to the soles of my feet: |
28. |
Though I am like a rotten thing that consumeth, Like a garment that is moth-eaten. |