- 1
- ¶ Lo, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it.
- 2
- What you know, I know also;
I am not inferior to you.
- 3
- But I would speak to the Almighty, and with my reproof would I reason with God.
- 4
- But you are forgers of lies;
you are all healers of no value.
- 5
- O that you would altogether keep silent!
And it would serve you for wisdom.
- 6
- Hear now my admonition, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips.
- 7
- Will you speak wickedly against God?
And talk deceitfully against him?
- 8
- Will you respect his person?
Will you contend with him?
- 9
- Is it good for you that he should search you out?
Or as you are judged by men, would you be judged by him?
- 10
- He will surely reprove you, if you will show partiality.
- 11
- His excellency shall seek vengeance of you, and his terror will fall upon you.
- 12
- Remember that your power is from the earth, and your dwelling place is of clay.
- 13
- ¶ Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak also, and tell everything that has come upon me.
- 14
- Why am I so afflicted, and why is my life exposed to danger?
- 15
- Though he slay me, yet will I look for him;
because my ways are before him.
- 16
- He also shall be my Saviour;
for a hypocrite shall not come before him.
- 17
- Listen diligently to my speech, and I will relate my declaration in your presence.
- 18
- Behold now, I am also pleading my cause;
and I know that I am innocent.
- 19
- Who is he that will contend with me?
For now I will keep silent and be at rest.
- 20
- Only two things do not let depart from me;
then I will not turn aside from thee:
- 21
- Do not withdraw thy help from me;
and let not thy dread terrify me.
- 22
- Then call thou me, and I will answer;
or let me speak, and answer thou me.
- 23
- ¶ How many are my iniquities and sins?
Make me to know my transgressions and my sins.
- 24
- Wherefore dost thou hide thy face from me, and considerest me as thine enemy?
- 25
- Wilt thou tread upon a fallen leaf?
And wilt thou pursue the dry grass in the air?
- 26
- For thou decreest chastisement against me, and makest me remember the iniquities of my youth;
- 27
- Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, and watchest all my ways;
thou seest the imprints of my feet.
- 28
- Yet a man is like a worn-out waterskin, and a garment that is moth-eaten.
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