The Message Bible MSG
World English Bible WEB
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 know also. 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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"Surely I would speak to the Almighty. I desire to reason with God.
4 You graffiti my life with lies. You're a bunch of pompous quacks!
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But you are forgers of lies. You are all physicians of no value.
5 I wish you'd shut your mouths - silence is your only claim to wisdom.
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Oh that you would be completely silent! Then you would be wise.
6 "Listen now while I make my case, consider my side of things for a change.
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Hear now my reasoning. 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 unrighteously for God, And talk 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 to him? Will you contend 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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Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceives a man, will you deceive him?
10 He'd reprimand you on the spot if he detected a bias in your witness.
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He will surely reprove you If you secretly 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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Shall not his majesty make you afraid, And his dread fall on you?
12 Your wise sayings are knickknack wisdom, good for nothing but gathering dust.
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Your memorable sayings 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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"Be silent, leave me alone, that I may speak. Let come on me what will.
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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Behold, he will kill me; I have no hope. Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him.
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 also shall be my salvation, That a godless man 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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Hear diligently my speech. 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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See now, I have set my cause in order. I know that I am righteous.
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 he who will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and give up the spirit.
20 "Please, God, I have two requests; grant them so I'll know I count with you:
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"Only don't do two things to me; 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 don't let your terror make me afraid.
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 answer 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 sins? Make me know my disobedience and my sin.
24 Why do you stay hidden and silent? Why treat me like I'm your enemy?
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Why hide you your face, And hold me for your enemy?
25 Why kick me around like an old tin can? Why beat a dead horse?
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Will you harass a driven leaf? Will you pursue the dry stubble?
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 also put my feet in the stocks, And mark all my paths. You set a bound to 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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Though I am decaying like a rotten thing, Like a garment that is moth-eaten.