New International Version NIV
The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
1 “My eyes have seen all this, my ears have heard and understood it.
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"All this I have seen with my own eyes; with my own ears I have heard and understood it.
2 What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.
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Whatever you know, I know too; I am not inferior to you.
3 But I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God.
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However, it's Shaddai I want to speak with; I want to prove my case to God.
4 You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you!
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But you, what you do is whitewash with lies; you are all witch doctors!
5 If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.
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I wish you would just stay silent; for you, that would be wisdom!
6 Hear now my argument; listen to the pleas of my lips.
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"Now listen to my reasoning, pay attention to how I present my dispute.
7 Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf? Will you speak deceitfully for him?
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Is it for God's sake that you speak so wickedly? for him that you talk deceitfully?
8 Will you show him partiality? Will you argue the case for God?
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Do you need to take his side and plead God's case for him?
9 Would it turn out well if he examined you? Could you deceive him as you might deceive a mortal?
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If he examines you, will all go well? Can you deceive him, as one man deceives another?
10 He would surely call you to account if you secretly showed partiality.
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If you are secretly flattering [him], he will surely rebuke you.
11 Would not his splendor terrify you? Would not the dread of him fall on you?
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Doesn't God's majesty terrify you? Aren't you overcome with dread of him?
12 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.
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Your maxims are garbage-proverbs; your answers crumble like clay.
13 “Keep silent and let me speak; then let come to me what may.
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"So be quiet! Let me be! I'll do the talking, come on me what may!
14 Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands?
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Why am I taking my flesh in my teeth, taking my life in my hands?
15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.
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Look, he will kill me - I don't expect more, but I will still defend my ways to his face.
16 Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless person would dare come before him!
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And this is what will save me -that a hypocrite cannot appear before him.
17 Listen carefully to what I say; let my words ring in your ears.
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"Listen closely, then, to my words; pay attention to what I am saying.
18 Now that I have prepared my case, I know I will be vindicated.
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Here, now, I have prepared my case; I know I am in the right.
19 Can anyone bring charges against me? If so, I will be silent and die.
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If anyone can contend with me, I will be quiet and die!
20 “Only grant me these two things, God, and then I will not hide from you:
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"Only grant two things to me, God; then I won't hide myself from your face -
21 Withdraw your hand far from me, and stop frightening me with your terrors.
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take your hand away from me, and don't let fear of you frighten me.
22 Then summon me and I will answer, or let me speak, and you reply to me.
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Then, if you call, I will answer. Or let me speak, and you, answer me!
23 How many wrongs and sins have I committed? Show me my offense and my sin.
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How many crimes and sins have I committed? Make me know my transgression and sin.
24 Why do you hide your face and consider me your enemy?
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Why do you hide your face and think of me as your enemy?
25 Will you torment a windblown leaf? Will you chase after dry chaff?
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Do you want to harass a wind-driven leaf? do you want to pursue a dry straw?
26 For you write down bitter things against me and make me reap the sins of my youth.
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Is this why you draw up bitter charges against me and punish me for the faults of my youth?
27 You fasten my feet in shackles; you keep close watch on all my paths by putting marks on the soles of my feet.
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You put my feet in the stocks, you watch me closely wherever I go, you trace out each footprint of mine
28 “So man wastes away like something rotten, like a garment eaten by moths.
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though [my body] decays like something rotten or like a moth-eaten garment.
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.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.