The Message Bible MSG
English Standard Version ESV
1 "Yes, I've seen all this with my own eyes, heard and understood it with my very own ears.
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“Behold, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it.
2 Everything you know, I know, so I'm not taking a back seat to any of you.
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What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.
3 I'm taking my case straight to God Almighty; I've had it with you - I'm going directly to God.
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But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God.
4 You graffiti my life with lies. You're a bunch of pompous quacks!
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As for you, you whitewash with lies; worthless physicians are you all.
5 I wish you'd shut your mouths - silence is your only claim to wisdom.
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Oh that you would keep silent, and it would be your wisdom!
6 "Listen now while I make my case, consider my side of things for a change.
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Hear now my argument and listen to the pleadings of my lips.
7 Or are you going to keep on lying 'to do God a service'? to make up stories 'to get him off the hook'?
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Will you speak falsely for God and speak deceitfully for him?
8 Why do you always take his side? Do you think he needs a lawyer to defend himself?
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Will you show partiality toward him? Will you plead the case for God?
9 How would you fare if you were in the dock? Your lies might convince a jury - but would they convince God?
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Will it be well with you when he searches you out? Or can you deceive him, as one deceives a man?
10 He'd reprimand you on the spot if he detected a bias in your witness.
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He will surely rebuke you if in secret you show partiality.
11 Doesn't his splendor put you in awe? Aren't you afraid to speak cheap lies before him?
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Will not his majesty terrify you, and the dread of him fall upon you?
12 Your wise sayings are knickknack wisdom, good for nothing but gathering dust.
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Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.
13 "So hold your tongue while I have my say, then I'll take whatever I have coming to me.
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“Let me have silence, and I will speak, and let come on me what may.
14 Why do I go out on a limb like this and take my life in my hands?
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Why should I take my flesh in my teeth and put my life in my hand?
15 Because even if he killed me, I'd keep on hoping. I'd defend my innocence to the very end.
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Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face.
16 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?
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This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him.
17 You'd better pay attention to what I'm telling you, listen carefully with both ears.
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Keep listening to my words, and let my declaration be in your ears.
18 Now that I've laid out my defense, I'm sure that I'll be acquitted.
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Behold, I have prepared my case; I know that I shall be in the right.
19 Can anyone prove charges against me? I've said my piece. I rest my case. Why Does God Stay Hidden and Silent?
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Who is there who will contend with me? For then I would be silent and die.
20 "Please, God, I have two requests; grant them so I'll know I count with you:
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Only grant me two things, then I will not hide myself from your face:
21 First, lay off the afflictions; the terror is too much for me.
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withdraw your hand far from me, and let not dread of you terrify me.
22 Second, address me directly so I can answer you, or let me speak and then you answer me.
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Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and you reply to me.
23 How many sins have been charged against me? Show me the list - how bad is it?
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How many are my iniquities and my sins? Make me know my transgression and my sin.
24 Why do you stay hidden and silent? Why treat me like I'm your enemy?
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Why do you hide your face and count me as your enemy?
25 Why kick me around like an old tin can? Why beat a dead horse?
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Will you frighten a driven leaf and pursue dry chaff?
26 You compile a long list of mean things about me, even hold me accountable for the sins of my youth.
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For you write bitter things against me and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.
27 You hobble me so I can't move about. You watch every move I make, and brand me as a dangerous character.
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You put my feet in the stocks and watch all my paths; you set a limit for the soles of my feet.
28 "Like something rotten, human life fast decomposes, like a moth-eaten shirt or a mildewed blouse.
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Man wastes away like a rotten thing, like a garment that is moth-eaten.
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.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025