| International Standard Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1"Look, I've seen everything; I've listened carefully and I understand. | 1Look, my eyes have seen all this; my ears have heard and understood it. |
| 2What you know, I know, too; I'm not inferior to you. | 2Everything you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you. |
| 3But I want to talk to the Almighty; and I'm determined to argue my case before God." | 3Yet I prefer to speak to the Almighty and argue my case before God. |
| 4"But as for you, you whitewash with lies; all of you are worthless quacks. | 4But you coat the truth with lies; you are all worthless doctors. |
| 5I wish you'd all just shut up. Then at least you would appear to be wise. | 5If only you would shut up and let that be your wisdom! |
| 6"Now listen to my dispute! Pay attention to my arguments. | 6Hear now my argument, and listen to my defense. |
| 7Why do you speak falsely on God's behalf and speak deceitfully about him? | 7Would you testify unjustly on God's behalf or speak deceitfully for Him? |
| 8Will you show partiality to him? Will you plead God's case? | 8Would you show partiality to Him or argue the case in His defense? |
| 9Will things go well for you under his cross-examination? Can you lie to him, as you would to a human being? | 9Would it go well if He examined you? Could you deceive Him as you would deceive a man? |
| 10"He will be sure to rebuke you, if you show partiality in secret. | 10Surely He would rebuke you if you secretly showed partiality. |
| 11His splendor will petrify you with terror, paralyzing you with fear, won't it? | 11Would God's majesty not terrify you? Would His dread not fall on you? |
| 12Your maxims are just worthless proverbs; your defensive arguments are made of clay." | 12Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ash; your defenses are made of clay. |
| 13"Don't talk to me! It's my turn to speak; then whatever happens, happens. | 13Be quiet, and I will speak. Let whatever comes happen to me. |
| 14Why shouldn't I bite my flesh or take my life in my hands? | 14Why do I put myself at risk and take my life in my own hands? |
| 15Even though he kills me, I'll continue to hope in him. At least I'll be able to argue my case to his face! | 15Even if He kills me, I will hope in Him. I will still defend my ways before Him. |
| 16I have this as my salvation: the godless person won't be appearing before him. | 16Yes, this will result in my deliverance, for no godless person can appear before Him. |
| 17Pay attention to what I have to say and listen to my testimony with your own ears." | 17Pay close attention to my words; let my declaration ring in your ears. |
| 18"Look, now! I've prepared my case for court. I know that I'm going to win. | 18Now then, I have prepared my case; I know that I am right. |
| 19Who can oppose me? If they do, I'll be silent and die. | 19Can anyone indict me? If so, I will be silent and die. |
| 20Grant me only two things as you deal with me; then I won't hide from you. | 20Only grant these two things to me, God, so that I will not have to hide from Your presence: |
| 21Withdraw your hand far from me and keep me from being petrified with terror. | 21remove Your hand from me, and do not let Your terror frighten me. |
| 22Then call and I'll answer, or let me speak and then you reply to me!" | 22Then call, and I will answer, or I will speak, and You can respond to me. |
| 23"How many of my iniquities and sins have you counted? Show me my transgression and sin. | 23How many iniquities and sins have I committed? Reveal to me my transgression and sin. |
| 24Why do you hide your face and regard me as your enemy? | 24Why do You hide Your face and consider me Your enemy? |
| 25Are you a god who would make a leaf tremble or who would prosecute a dry straw? | 25Will You frighten a wind-driven leaf? Will You chase after dry straw? |
| 26You've accused me of bitter things; you've caused me to reap the sins of my youth. | 26For You record bitter accusations against me and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth. |
| 27You've locked my feet in stocks; you watch all my steps; You've limited where I can walk. | 27You put my feet in the stocks and stand watch over all my paths, setting a limit for the soles of my feet. |
| 28So I'm a man who wears out like something rotten, like a garment that has become moth-eaten." | 28Man wears out like something rotten, like a moth-eaten garment. |
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