Good News Translation GNT
World English Bible WEB
1 Everything you say, I have heard before. I understand it all; I know as much as you do. I'm not your inferior.
1
"Behold, my eye has seen all this, My ear has heard and understood it.
3 But my dispute is with God, not you; I want to argue my case with him.
3
"Surely I would speak to the Almighty. I desire to reason with God.
4 You cover up your ignorance with lies; you are like doctors who can't heal anyone.
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But you are forgers of lies. You are all physicians of no value.
5 Say nothing, and someone may think you are wise!
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Oh that you would be completely silent! Then you would be wise.
6 Listen while I state my case.
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Hear now my reasoning. Listen to the pleadings of my lips.
7 Why are you lying? Do you think your lies will benefit God?
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Will you speak unrighteously for God, And talk deceitfully for him?
8 Are you trying to defend him? Are you going to argue his case in court?
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Will you show partiality to him? Will you contend for God?
9 If God looks at you closely, will he find anything good? Do you think you can fool God the way you fool others?
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Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceives a man, will you deceive him?
10 Even though your prejudice is hidden, he will reprimand you,
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He will surely reprove you If you secretly show partiality.
11 and his power will fill you with terror.
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Shall not his majesty make you afraid, And his dread fall on you?
12 Your proverbs are as useless as ashes; your arguments are as weak as clay.
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Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defenses are defenses of clay.
13 Be quiet and give me a chance to speak, and let the results be what they will.
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"Be silent, leave me alone, that I may speak. Let come on me what will.
14 I am ready to risk my life.
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Why should I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hand?
15 I've lost all hope, so what if God kills me? I am going to state my case to him.
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Behold, he will kill me; I have no hope. Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him.
16 It may even be that my boldness will save me, since no wicked person would dare to face God.
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This also shall be my salvation, That a godless man shall not come before him.
17 Now listen to my words of explanation.
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Hear diligently my speech. Let my declaration be in your ears.
18 I am ready to state my case, because I know I am in the right.
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See now, I have set my cause in order. I know that I am righteous.
19 Are you coming to accuse me, God? If you do, I am ready to be silent and die.
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Who is he who will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and give up the spirit.
20 Let me ask for two things; agree to them, and I will not try to hide from you:
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"Only don't do two things to me; Then I will not hide myself from your face:
21 stop punishing me, and don't crush me with terror.
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Withdraw your hand far from me; And don't let your terror make me afraid.
22 Speak first, O God, and I will answer. Or let me speak, and you answer me.
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Then call, and I will answer; Or let me speak, and you answer me.
23 What are my sins? What wrongs have I done? What crimes am I charged with?
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How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me know my disobedience and my sin.
24 Why do you avoid me? Why do you treat me like an enemy?
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Why hide you your face, And hold me for your enemy?
25 Are you trying to frighten me? I'm nothing but a leaf; you are attacking a piece of dry straw.
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Will you harass a driven leaf? Will you pursue the dry stubble?
26 You bring bitter charges against me, even for what I did when I was young.
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For you write bitter things against me, And make me inherit the iniquities of my youth:
27 You bind chains on my feet; you watch every step I take, and even examine my footprints.
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You also put my feet in the stocks, And mark all my paths. You set a bound to the soles of my feet:
28 As a result, I crumble like rotten wood, like a moth-eaten coat.
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Though I am decaying like a rotten thing, Like a garment that is moth-eaten.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.
The World English Bible is in the public domain.