New International Version NIV
Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible RHE
1 “My eyes have seen all this, my ears have heard and understood it.
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Behold my eye hath seen all these things, and my ear hath heard them, and I have understood them all.
2 What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.
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According to your knowledge I also know: neither am I inferior to you.
3 But I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God.
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But yet I will speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.
4 You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you!
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Having first shewn that you are forgers of lies, and maintainers of perverse opinions.
5 If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.
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And I wish you would hold your peace, that you might be thought to be wise men.
6 Hear now my argument; listen to the pleas of my lips.
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Hear ye therefore my reproof, and attend to the judgment of my lips.
7 Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf? Will you speak deceitfully for him?
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Hath God any need of your lie, that you should speak deceitfully for him?
8 Will you show him partiality? Will you argue the case for God?
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Do you accept this person, and do you endeavour to judge 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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Or shall it please him, from whom nothing can be concealed? or shall he be deceived as a man, with your deceitful dealings?
10 He would surely call you to account if you secretly showed partiality.
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He shall reprove you, because in secret you accept his person.
11 Would not his splendor terrify you? Would not the dread of him fall on you?
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As soon as he shall move himself, he shall trouble you: and his dread shall fall upon you.
12 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.
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Your remembrance shall be compared to ashes, and your necks shall be brought to clay.
13 “Keep silent and let me speak; then let come to me what may.
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Hold your peace a little while, that I may speak whatsoever my mind shall suggest to me.
14 Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands?
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Why do I tear my flesh with my teeth, and carry my soul 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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Although he should kill me, I will trust in him: but yet I will reprove my ways in his sight.
16 Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless person would dare come before him!
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And he shall be my saviour: for no hypocrite shall come before his presence.
17 Listen carefully to what I say; let my words ring in your ears.
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Hear ye my speech, and receive with your ears hidden truths.
18 Now that I have prepared my case, I know I will be vindicated.
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If I shall be judged, I know that I shall be found just.
19 Can anyone bring charges against me? If so, I will be silent and die.
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Who is he that will plead against me? let him come: why am I consumed holding my peace?
20 “Only grant me these two things, God, and then I will not hide from you:
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Two things only do not to me, and then from thy face I shall not be hid:
21 Withdraw your hand far from me, and stop frightening me with your terrors.
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Withdraw thy hand far from me, and let not thy dread terrify me.
22 Then summon me and I will answer, or let me speak, and you reply to me.
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Call me, and I will answer thee: or else I will speak, and do thou answer 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 sins? make me know my crimes and offenses.
24 Why do you hide your face and consider me your enemy?
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Why hidest thou thy face, and thinkest me thy enemy?
25 Will you torment a windblown leaf? Will you chase after dry chaff?
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Against a leaf, that is carried away with the wind, thou shewest thy power, and thou pursuest 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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For thou writest bitter things against me, and wilt consume me for 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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Thou hast put my feet in the stocks, and hast observed all my paths, and hast considered the steps of my feet:
28 “So man wastes away like something rotten, like a garment eaten by moths.
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Who am to be consumed as rottenness, and as a garment that is motheaten.
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.
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