Berean Standard Bible

International Standard Version

1“Indeed, my eyes have seen all this; my ears have heard and understood.

1"Look, I've seen everything; I've listened carefully and I understand.

2What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.

2What you know, I know, too; I'm not inferior to you.

3Yet I desire to speak to the Almighty and argue my case before God.

3But I want to talk to the Almighty; and I'm determined to argue my case before God."

4You, however, smear with lies; you are all worthless physicians.

4"But as for you, you whitewash with lies; all of you are worthless quacks.

5If only you would remain silent; for that would be your wisdom!

5I wish you'd all just shut up. Then at least you would appear to be wise.

6Hear now my argument, and listen to the plea of my lips.

6"Now listen to my dispute! Pay attention to my arguments.

7Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf or speak deceitfully for Him?

7Why do you speak falsely on God's behalf and speak deceitfully about him?

8Would you show Him partiality or argue in His defense?

8Will you show partiality to him? Will you plead God's case?

9Would it be well when He examined you? Could you deceive Him as you would deceive a man?

9Will things go well for you under his cross-examination? Can you lie to him, as you would to a human being?

10Surely He would rebuke you if you secretly showed partiality.

10"He will be sure to rebuke you, if you show partiality in secret.

11Would His majesty not terrify you? Would the dread of Him not fall upon you?

11His splendor will petrify you with terror, paralyzing you with fear, won't it?

12Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.

12Your maxims are just worthless proverbs; your defensive arguments are made of clay."

13Be silent, and I will speak. Then let come to me what may.

13"Don't talk to me! It's my turn to speak; then whatever happens, happens.

14Why do I put myself at risk and take my life in my own hands?

14Why shouldn't I bite my flesh or take my life in my hands?

15Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. I will still defend my ways to His face.

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!

16Moreover, this will be my salvation, for no godless man can appear before Him.

16I have this as my salvation: the godless person won't be appearing before him.

17Listen carefully to my words; let my declaration ring in your ears.

17Pay attention to what I have to say and listen to my testimony with your own ears."

18See now, I have prepared my case; I know that I will be vindicated.

18"Look, now! I've prepared my case for court. I know that I'm going to win.

19Can anyone indict me? If so, I will be silent and die.

19Who can oppose me? If they do, I'll be silent and die.

20Only grant these two things to me, so that I need not hide from You:

20Grant me only two things as you deal with me; then I won't hide from you.

21Withdraw Your hand from me, and do not let Your terror frighten me.

21Withdraw your hand far from me and keep me from being petrified with terror.

22Then call me, and I will answer, or let me speak, and You can reply.

22Then call and I'll answer, or let me speak and then you reply to me!"

23How many are my iniquities and sins? Reveal to me my transgression and sin.

23"How many of my iniquities and sins have you counted? Show me my transgression and sin.

24Why do You hide Your face and consider me as Your enemy?

24Why do you hide your face and regard me as your enemy?

25Would You frighten a windblown leaf? Would You chase after dry chaff?

25Are you a god who would make a leaf tremble or who would prosecute a dry straw?

26For You record bitter accusations against me and bequeath to me the iniquities of my youth.

26You've accused me of bitter things; you've caused me to reap the sins 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.

27You've locked my feet in stocks; you watch all my steps; You've limited where I can walk.

28So man wastes away like something rotten, like a moth-eaten garment.

28So I'm a man who wears out like something rotten, like a garment that has become moth-eaten."

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