1"All this I have seen with my own eyes; with my own ears I have heard and understood it.
2Whatever you know, I know too; I am not inferior to you.
3However, it's Shaddai I want to speak with; I want to prove my case to God.
4But you, what you do is whitewash with lies; you are all witch doctors!
5I wish you would just stay silent; for you, that would be wisdom!
6"Now listen to my reasoning, pay attention to how I present my dispute.
7Is it for God's sake that you speak so wickedly? for him that you talk deceitfully?
8Do you need to take his side and plead God's case for him?
9If he examines you, will all go well? Can you deceive him, as one man deceives another?
10If you are secretly flattering [him], he will surely rebuke you.
11Doesn't God's majesty terrify you? Aren't you overcome with dread of him?
12Your maxims are garbage-proverbs; your answers crumble like clay.
13"So be quiet! Let me be! I'll do the talking, come on me what may!
14Why am I taking my flesh in my teeth, taking my life in my hands?
15Look, he will kill me - I don't expect more, but I will still defend my ways to his face.
16And this is what will save me -that a hypocrite cannot appear before him.
17"Listen closely, then, to my words; pay attention to what I am saying.
18Here, now, I have prepared my case; I know I am in the right.
19If anyone can contend with me, I will be quiet and die!
20"Only grant two things to me, God; then I won't hide myself from your face -
21take your hand away from me, and don't let fear of you frighten me.
22Then, if you call, I will answer. Or let me speak, and you, answer me!
23How many crimes and sins have I committed? Make me know my transgression and sin.
24Why do you hide your face and think of me as your enemy?
25Do you want to harass a wind-driven leaf? do you want to pursue a dry straw?
26Is this why you draw up bitter charges against me and punish me for the faults of my youth?
27You put my feet in the stocks, you watch me closely wherever I go, you trace out each footprint of mine
28though [my body] decays like something rotten or like a moth-eaten garment.