New International Version NIV
New Revised Standard NRS
1 “My eyes have seen all this, my ears have heard and understood it.
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"Look, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it.
2 What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.
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What you know, I also know; 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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But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God.
4 You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you!
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As for you, you whitewash with lies; all of you are worthless physicians.
5 If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.
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If you would only keep silent, that would be your wisdom!
6 Hear now my argument; listen to the pleas of my lips.
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Hear now my reasoning, and listen to the pleadings of my lips.
7 Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf? Will you speak deceitfully for him?
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Will you speak falsely for God, and speak deceitfully for him?
8 Will you show him partiality? Will you argue the case for God?
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Will you show partiality toward him, will you plead the case for God?
9 Would it turn out well if he examined you? Could you deceive him as you might deceive a mortal?
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Will it be well with you when he searches you out? Or can you deceive him, as one person deceives another?
10 He would surely call you to account if you secretly showed partiality.
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He will surely rebuke you if in secret you show partiality.
11 Would not his splendor terrify you? Would not the dread of him fall on you?
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Will not his majesty terrify you, and the dread of him fall upon you?
12 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.
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Your maxims are proverbs of ashes, your defenses are defenses of clay.
13 “Keep silent and let me speak; then let come to me what may.
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"Let me have silence, and I will speak, and let come on me what may.
14 Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands?
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I will take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand.
15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.
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See, he will kill me; I have no hope; but I will 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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This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him.
17 Listen carefully to what I say; let my words ring in your ears.
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Listen carefully to my words, and let my declaration be in your ears.
18 Now that I have prepared my case, I know I will be vindicated.
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I have indeed prepared my case; I know that I shall be vindicated.
19 Can anyone bring charges against me? If so, I will be silent and die.
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Who is there that will contend with me? For then I would be silent 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, then I will not hide myself from your face:
21 Withdraw your hand far from me, and stop frightening me with your terrors.
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withdraw your hand far from me, and do not let dread of you terrify me.
22 Then summon me and I will answer, or let me speak, and you reply to me.
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Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and you reply to me.
23 How many wrongs and sins have I committed? Show me my offense and my sin.
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How many are my iniquities and my sins? Make me know my transgression and my sin.
24 Why do you hide your face and consider me your enemy?
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Why do you hide your face, and count me as your enemy?
25 Will you torment a windblown leaf? Will you chase after dry chaff?
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Will you frighten a windblown leaf and pursue dry chaff?
26 For you write down bitter things against me and make me reap the sins of my youth.
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For you write bitter things against me, and make me reap the iniquities 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, and watch all my paths; you set a bound to the soles of my feet.
28 “So man wastes away like something rotten, like a garment eaten by moths.
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One wastes away like a rotten thing, like a garment that is moth-eaten.
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.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.