• 1 “Behold, my eye has seen all this, My ear has heard and understood it.
  • 2 What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.
  • 3 But I would speak to the Almighty, And I desire to reason with God.
  • 4 But you forgers of lies, You are all worthless physicians.
  • 5 Oh, that you would be silent, And it would be your wisdom!
  • 6 Now hear my reasoning, And heed the pleadings of my lips.
  • 7 Will you speak wickedly for God, And talk deceitfully for Him?
  • 8 Will you show partiality for Him? Will you contend for God?
  • 9 Will it be well when He searches you out? Or can you mock Him as one mocks a man?
  • 10 He will surely rebuke you If you secretly show partiality.
  • 11 Will not His excellence make you afraid, And the dread of Him fall upon you?
  • 12 Your platitudes are proverbs of ashes, Your defenses are defenses of clay.
  • 13 “Hold your peace with me, and let me speak, Then let come on me what may!
  • 14 Why do I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hands?
  • 15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.
  • 16 He also shall be my salvation, For a hypocrite could not come before Him.
  • 17 Listen carefully to my speech, And to my declaration with your ears.
  • 18 See now, I have prepared my case, I know that I shall be vindicated.
  • 19 Who is he who will contend with me? If now I hold my tongue, I perish.

  • Job’s Despondent Prayer

  • 20 “Only two things do not do to me, Then I will not hide myself from You:
  • 21 Withdraw Your hand far from me, And let not the dread of You make me afraid.
  • 22 Then call, and I will answer; Or let me speak, then You respond to me.
  • 23 How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me know my transgression and my sin.
  • 24 Why do You hide Your face, And regard me as Your enemy?
  • 25 Will You frighten a leaf driven to and fro? And will You pursue dry stubble?
  • 26 For You write bitter things against me, And make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.
  • 27 You put my feet in the stocks, And watch closely all my paths. You set a limit for the soles of my feet.
  • 28 “Man decays like a rotten thing, Like a garment that is moth-eaten.