✧“Indeed, my eyes have seen all this; my ears have heard and understood. ✧2What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you. ✧3Yet I desire to speak to the Almighty and argue my case before God. ✧4You, however, smear with lies; you are all worthless physicians. ✧5If only you would remain silent; for that would be your wisdom! ✧6Hear now my argument, and listen to the plea of my lips. ✧7Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf or speak deceitfully for Him? ✧8Would you show Him partiality or argue in His defense? ✧9Would it be well when He examined you? Could you deceive Him like a man? ✧10Surely He would rebuke you if you secretly showed partiality. ✧11Would His majesty not terrify you? Would the dread of Him not fall upon you? ✧12Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay. ✧13Be silent, and I will speak. Then let come to me what may. ✧14Why do I put myself at risk and take my life in my own hands? ✧15Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. I will still defend my ways to His face. ✧16Moreover, this will be my salvation, for no godless man can appear before Him. ✧17Listen carefully to my words; let my declaration ring in your ears. ✧18Behold, now that I have prepared my case, I know that I will be vindicated. ✧19Can anyone indict me? If so, I will be silent and die. ✧20Only grant these two things to me, so that I need not hide from You: ✧21Withdraw Your hand from me, and do not let Your terror frighten me. ✧22Then call me, and I will answer, or let me speak, and You can reply. ✧23How many are my iniquities and sins? Reveal to me my transgression and sin. ✧24Why do You hide Your face and consider me as Your enemy? ✧25Would You frighten a windblown leaf? Would You chase after dry chaff? ✧26For You record bitter accusations against me and bequeath to me the iniquities of my youth. ✧27You put my feet in the stocks and stand watch over all my paths; You set a limit for the soles of my feet. ✧28So man wastes away like something rotten, like a moth-eaten garment.