1“Behold, my eye has seen all this.
My ear has heard and understood it. 2What you know, I know also.
I am not inferior to you. 3“Surely I would speak to the Almighty.
I desire to reason with God. 4But you are forgers of lies.
You are all physicians of no value. 5Oh that you would be completely silent!
Then you would be wise. 6Hear now my reasoning.
Listen to the pleadings of my lips. 7Will you speak unrighteously for God,
and talk deceitfully for him? 8Will you show partiality to him?
Will you contend for God? 9Is it good that he should search you out?
Or as one deceives a man, will you deceive him? 10He will surely reprove you,
if you secretly show partiality. 11Shall not his majesty make you afraid,
And his dread fall on you? 12Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes,
Your defenses are defenses of clay. 13“Be silent, leave me alone, that I may speak.
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 godless man shall not come before him. 17Hear diligently my speech.
Let my declaration be in your ears.