• I Will Be Declared Righteous

  • 1 “Behold, my eye has seen all this; My ear has heard and understood it.
  • 2 “What you know I also know; I have not fallen short of you.
  • 3 “But I would speak to the Almighty, And I desire to argue with God.
  • 4 “But you cover me with lies; You are all worthless physicians.
  • 5 “O that you would be completely silent, And that it would become your wisdom!
  • 6 “Please hear my argument And give heed to the contentions of my lips.
  • 7 “Will you speak what is unrighteous for God, And speak what is deceitful for Him?
  • 8 “Will you show partiality for Him? Will you contend for God?
  • 9 “Will it be well when He examines you? Or will you deceive Him as one deceives a man?
  • 10 “He will surely reprove you If you secretly show partiality.
  • 11 “Will not His exaltedness terrify you, And the dread of Him fall on you?
  • 12 “Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes; Your defenses are defenses of clay.
  • 13 “Be silent before me so that I may speak; Then let come on me what may.
  • 14 “Why should I take my flesh in my teeth And put my life in my hands?
  • 15 “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him.
  • 16 “This also will be my salvation, For a godless man may not come before His presence.
  • 17 “Listen carefully to my words, And let my declaration fill your ears.
  • 18 “Behold now, I have arranged my case for justice; I know that I will be declared righteous.
  • 19 “Who will contend with me? For now I am silent and will breathe my last.
  • 20 “Only two things do not do to me, Then I will not hide from Your face:
  • 21 Move Your hand far from me, And let not the dread of You terrify me.
  • 22 “Then call, and I will answer; Or let me speak, then respond to me.
  • 23 “How many are my iniquities and sins? Make known to me my transgression and my sin.
  • 24 “Why do You hide Your face And think of me as Your enemy?
  • 25 “Will You cause a driven leaf to tremble? Or will You pursue the dry chaff?
  • 26 “For You write bitter things against me And make me to possess the iniquities of my youth.
  • 27 “You put my feet in the stocks And kept watch over all my paths; You set a limit for the soles of my feet,
  • 28 While I am decaying like a rotten thing, Like a garment that is moth-eaten.