New International Version NIV
New Living Translation NLT
1 “My eyes have seen all this, my ears have heard and understood it.
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“Look, I have seen all this with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears, and now I understand.
2 What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.
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I know as much as you do. You are no better than I am.
3 But I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God.
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As for me, I would speak directly to the Almighty. I want to argue my case with God himself.
4 You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you!
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As for you, you smear me with lies. As physicians, you are worthless quacks.
5 If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.
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If only you could be silent! That’s the wisest thing you could do.
6 Hear now my argument; listen to the pleas of my lips.
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Listen to my charge; pay attention to my arguments.
7 Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf? Will you speak deceitfully for him?
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“Are you defending God with lies? Do you make your dishonest arguments for his sake?
8 Will you show him partiality? Will you argue the case for God?
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Will you slant your testimony in his favor? Will you argue 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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What will happen when he finds out what you are doing? Can you fool him as easily as you fool people?
10 He would surely call you to account if you secretly showed partiality.
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No, you will be in trouble with him if you secretly slant your testimony in his favor.
11 Would not his splendor terrify you? Would not the dread of him fall on you?
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Doesn’t his majesty terrify you? Doesn’t your fear of him overwhelm you?
12 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.
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Your platitudes are as valuable as ashes. Your defense is as fragile as a clay pot.
13 “Keep silent and let me speak; then let come to me what may.
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“Be silent now and leave me alone. Let me speak, and I will face the consequences.
14 Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands?
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Why should I put myself in mortal danger and take my life in my own 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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God might kill me, but I have no other hope. I am going to argue my case with him.
16 Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless person would dare come before him!
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But this is what will save me—I am not godless. If I were, I could not stand before him.
17 Listen carefully to what I say; let my words ring in your ears.
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“Listen closely to what I am about to say. Hear me out.
18 Now that I have prepared my case, I know I will be vindicated.
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I have prepared my case; I will be proved innocent.
19 Can anyone bring charges against me? If so, I will be silent and die.
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Who can argue with me over this? And if you prove me wrong, I will remain silent and die.
20 “Only grant me these two things, God, and then I will not hide from you:
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“O God, grant me these two things, and then I will be able to face you.
21 Withdraw your hand far from me, and stop frightening me with your terrors.
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Remove your heavy hand from me, and don’t terrify me with your awesome presence.
22 Then summon me and I will answer, or let me speak, and you reply to me.
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Now summon me, and I will answer! Or let me speak to you, and you reply.
23 How many wrongs and sins have I committed? Show me my offense and my sin.
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Tell me, what have I done wrong? Show me my rebellion and my sin.
24 Why do you hide your face and consider me your enemy?
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Why do you turn away from me? Why do you treat me as your enemy?
25 Will you torment a windblown leaf? Will you chase after dry chaff?
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Would you terrify a leaf blown by the wind? Would you chase dry straw?
26 For you write down bitter things against me and make me reap the sins of my youth.
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“You write bitter accusations against me and bring up all the sins 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 stocks. You examine all my paths. You trace all my footprints.
28 “So man wastes away like something rotten, like a garment eaten by moths.
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I waste away like rotting wood, like a moth-eaten coat.
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.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.