English Standard Version ESV
The Message Bible MSG
1 "Behold, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it.
1
"Yes, I've seen all this with my own eyes, heard and understood it with my very own ears.
2 What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.
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Everything you know, I know, so I'm not taking a back seat to any of you.
3 But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God.
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I'm taking my case straight to God Almighty; I've had it with you - I'm going directly to God.
4 As for you, you whitewash with lies; worthless physicians are you all.
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You graffiti my life with lies. You're a bunch of pompous quacks!
5 Oh that you would keep silent, and it would be your wisdom!
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I wish you'd shut your mouths - silence is your only claim to wisdom.
6 Hear now my argument and listen to the pleadings of my lips.
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"Listen now while I make my case, consider my side of things for a change.
7 Will you speak falsely for God and speak deceitfully for him?
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Or are you going to keep on lying 'to do God a service'? to make up stories 'to get him off the hook'?
8 Will you show partiality toward him? Will you plead the case for God?
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Why do you always take his side? Do you think he needs a lawyer to defend himself?
9 Will it be well with you when he searches you out? Or can you deceive him, as one deceives a man?
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How would you fare if you were in the dock? Your lies might convince a jury - but would they convince God?
10 He will surely rebuke you if in secret you show partiality.
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He'd reprimand you on the spot if he detected a bias in your witness.
11 Will not his majesty terrify you, and the dread of him fall upon you?
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Doesn't his splendor put you in awe? Aren't you afraid to speak cheap lies before him?
12 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.
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Your wise sayings are knickknack wisdom, good for nothing but gathering dust.
13 "Let me have silence, and I will speak, and let come on me what may.
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"So hold your tongue while I have my say, then I'll take whatever I have coming to me.
14 Why should I take my flesh in my teeth and put my life in my hand?
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Why do I go out on a limb like this and take my life in my hands?
15 Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face.
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Because even if he killed me, I'd keep on hoping. I'd defend my innocence to the very end.
16 This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him.
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Just wait, this is going to work out for the best - my salvation! If I were guilt-stricken do you think I'd be doing this - laying myself on the line before God?
17 Keep listening to my words, and let my declaration be in your ears.
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You'd better pay attention to what I'm telling you, listen carefully with both ears.
18 Behold, I have prepared my case; I know that I shall be in the right.
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Now that I've laid out my defense, I'm sure that I'll be acquitted.
19 Who is there who will contend with me? For then I would be silent and die.
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Can anyone prove charges against me? I've said my piece. I rest my case. Why Does God Stay Hidden and Silent?
20 Only grant me two things, then I will not hide myself from your face:
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"Please, God, I have two requests; grant them so I'll know I count with you:
21 withdraw your hand far from me, and let not dread of you terrify me.
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First, lay off the afflictions; the terror is too much for me.
22 Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and you reply to me.
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Second, address me directly so I can answer you, or let me speak and then you answer me.
23 How many are my iniquities and my sins? Make me know my transgression and my sin.
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How many sins have been charged against me? Show me the list - how bad is it?
24 Why do you hide your face and count me as your enemy?
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Why do you stay hidden and silent? Why treat me like I'm your enemy?
25 Will you frighten a driven leaf and pursue dry chaff?
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Why kick me around like an old tin can? Why beat a dead horse?
26 For you write bitter things against me and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.
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You compile a long list of mean things about me, even hold me accountable for the sins of my youth.
27 You put my feet in the stocks and watch all my paths; you set a limit for the soles of my feet.
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You hobble me so I can't move about. You watch every move I make, and brand me as a dangerous character.
28 Man wastes away like a rotten thing, like a garment that is moth-eaten.
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"Like something rotten, human life fast decomposes, like a moth-eaten shirt or a mildewed blouse.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.