1Behold, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it. 2What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you. 3But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue with the Mighty God. 4But you smear lies; you are all worthless physicians. 5O that you would be silent and stop talking, and it would be your wisdom! 6Now listen to my arguments, and pay attention to the complaint of my lips. 7Will you speak unjustly for the Mighty God, and talk deceitfully for Him? 8Will you show partiality for Him? Will you contend for the Mighty God? 9Will it be well when He searches you out? Or do you mock Him as one mocks a man? 10He will surely rebuke you if you secretly show partiality. 11Will not His loftiness make you afraid, and the dread of Him fall upon you? 12Your remembered proverbs are worthless; your backs are backs of clay. 13Keep quiet, let me be, that I may speak; then let pass over me what will! 14Why do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my soul in my hands? 15Though He slay me, yet will I wait for Him; but I will prove my own ways before Him. 16He also is my salvation, for a hypocrite can not come before Him. 17Listen and pay attention to my speech; to my declaration with your ears. 18Behold now, I have prepared my case; I know that I shall be justified. 19Who is he who will contend with me? For if I am silent, I will die. 20Only two things do not do to me, O God, then I will not hide myself from Your face: 21Remove Your hand far from me, and let not the dread of You make me afraid. 22Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and You respond to me. 23How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me know my transgression and my sin. 24Why do You hide Your face, and regard me as Your enemy? 25Will You terrify a leaf driven to and fro? And will You pursue dry stubble? 26For You write bitter things against me, and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth. 27You put my feet in the stocks, and watch all my paths. You set a limit for the soles of my feet; 28worn out like a rotten thing, like a garment that is moth-eaten.