1Lo, my eye has seen all [this]. My ear has heard and understood it. 2What ye know, I also know; I am not inferior to you. 3Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God. 4But ye are forgers of lies. Ye are all physicians of no value. 5O that ye would altogether be silent! And it would be your wisdom. 6Hear now my reasoning, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips. 7Will ye speak unrighteously for God, and talk deceitfully for him? 8Will ye show partiality to him? Will ye contend for God? 9Is it good that he should search you out? Or as deceiving a man, will ye deceive him? 10He will surely reprove you if ye secretly show partiality. 11Shall not his majesty make you afraid, and his dread fall upon you? 12Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes. Your defenses are defenses of clay. 13Be quiet. Let me alone that I may speak, and let come on me what will. 14Why should I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand? 15Behold, he will kill me; I have no hope. Nevertheless I will maintain my ways before him. 16This also shall be my salvation, that a profane man shall not come before him. 17Hear diligently my speech, and let my declaration be in your ears. 18Behold now, I have set my case in order. I know that I am righteous. 19Who is he who will contend with me? For then I would keep silent and give up the spirit. 20Only do not do two things to me, then I will not hide myself from thy face: 21Withdraw thy hand far from me, and do not let thy dread make me afraid. 22Then call thou, and I will answer, or let me speak, and answer thou me. 23How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgression and my sin. 24Why do thou hide thy face, and reckon me for thine enemy? 25Will thou harass a driven leaf? And will thou pursue the dry stubble? 26For thou write bitter things against me, and make me to inherit the iniquities of my youth. 27Thou also put my feet in the stocks, and mark all my paths. Thou set a bound to the soles of my feet. 28Though I am like a rotten thing that decays, like a garment that is moth-eaten.