English Standard Version ESV
New International Version NIV
1 "Behold, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it.
1
“My eyes have seen all this, my ears have heard and understood it.
2 What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.
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 argue my case with God.
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But I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God.
4 As for you, you whitewash with lies; worthless physicians are you all.
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You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you!
5 Oh that you would keep silent, and it would be your wisdom!
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If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.
6 Hear now my argument and listen to the pleadings of my lips.
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Hear now my argument; listen to the pleas of my lips.
7 Will you speak falsely for God and speak deceitfully for him?
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Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf? Will you speak deceitfully for him?
8 Will you show partiality toward him? Will you plead the case for God?
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Will you show him partiality? Will you argue the case for God?
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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Would it turn out well if he examined you? Could you deceive him as you might deceive a mortal?
10 He will surely rebuke you if in secret you show partiality.
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He would surely call you to account if you secretly showed partiality.
11 Will not his majesty terrify you, and the dread of him fall upon you?
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Would not his splendor terrify you? Would not the dread of him fall on you?
12 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.
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Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.
13 "Let me have silence, and I will speak, and let come on me what may.
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“Keep silent and let me speak; then let come to me what may.
14 Why should I take my flesh in my teeth and put my life in my hand?
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Why do I put myself in jeopardy 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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Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.
16 This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him.
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Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless person would dare come before him!
17 Keep listening to my words, and let my declaration be in your ears.
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Listen carefully to what I say; let my words ring in your ears.
18 Behold, I have prepared my case; I know that I shall be in the right.
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Now that I have prepared my case, I know I will be vindicated.
19 Who is there who will contend with me? For then I would be silent and die.
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Can anyone bring charges against me? If so, I will be silent and die.
20 Only grant me two things, then I will not hide myself from your face:
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“Only grant me these two things, God, and then I will not hide from you:
21 withdraw your hand far from me, and let not dread of you terrify me.
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Withdraw your hand far from me, and stop frightening me with your terrors.
22 Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and you reply to me.
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Then summon me and I will answer, or let me speak, and you reply to me.
23 How many are my iniquities and my sins? Make me know my transgression and my sin.
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How many wrongs and sins have I committed? Show me my offense and my sin.
24 Why do you hide your face and count me as your enemy?
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Why do you hide your face and consider me your enemy?
25 Will you frighten a driven leaf and pursue dry chaff?
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Will you torment a windblown leaf? Will you chase after dry chaff?
26 For you write bitter things against me and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.
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For you write down bitter things against me and make me reap 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 fasten my feet in shackles; you keep close watch on all my paths by putting marks on the soles of my feet.
28 Man wastes away like a rotten thing, like a garment that is moth-eaten.
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“So man wastes away like something rotten, like a garment eaten by moths.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.