1“Look, 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,[a]
    and I desire to argue my case with God.
4As for you, you whitewash with lies;
    all of you are worthless physicians.
5If you would only keep silent,
    that would be your wisdom!
6Hear now my reasoning,
    and listen to the pleadings of my lips.
7Will you speak falsely for God,
    and speak deceitfully for him?
8Will you show partiality toward him,
    will you plead the case for God?
9Will it be well with you when he searches you out?
    Or can you deceive him, as one person deceives another?
10He will surely rebuke you
    if in secret you show partiality.
11Will not his majesty terrify you,
    and the dread of him fall upon you?
12Your maxims are proverbs of ashes,
    your defenses are defenses of clay.

13“Let me have silence, and I will speak,
    and let come on me what may.
14I will take my flesh in my teeth,
    and put my life in my hand.[b]
15See, he will kill me; I have no hope;[c]
    but I will defend my ways to his face.
16This will be my salvation,
    that the godless shall not come before him.
17Listen carefully to my words,
    and let my declaration be in your ears.
18I have indeed prepared my case;
    I know that I shall be vindicated.
19Who is there that will contend with me?
    For then I would be silent and die.