1“Behold, my eye has seen all this,
My ear has heard and understood it.
2What you know, I also know;
I am not inferior to you.
3But I would speak to the Almighty,
And I desire to reason with God.
4But you forgers of lies,
You are all worthless physicians.
5Oh, that you would be silent,
And it would be your wisdom!
6Now hear my reasoning,
And heed the pleadings of my lips.
7Will you speak [a]wickedly for God,
And talk deceitfully for Him?
8Will you show partiality for Him?
Will you contend for God?
9Will it be well when He searches you out?
Or can you mock Him as one mocks a man?
10He will surely rebuke you
If you secretly show partiality.
11Will not His [b]excellence make you afraid,
And the dread of Him fall upon you?
12Your platitudes are proverbs of ashes,
Your defenses are defenses of clay.

20“Only two things do not do to me,
Then I will not hide myself from You:
21Withdraw Your hand far from me,
And let not the dread of You make me afraid.
22Then call, and I will answer;
Or let me speak, then You respond to me.
23How many are my iniquities and sins?
Make me know my transgression and my sin.
24Why do You hide Your face,
And regard me as Your enemy?
25Will You frighten a leaf driven to and fro?
And will You pursue dry stubble?
26For You write bitter things against me,
And make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.
27You put my feet in the stocks,
And watch closely all my paths.
You [d]set a limit for the [e]soles of my feet.