English Standard Version

Berean Study Bible

1“Behold, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it.

1“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.

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

3But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God.

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

4As for you, you whitewash with lies; worthless physicians are you all.

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

5Oh that you would keep silent, and it would be your wisdom!

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

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

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

7Will you speak falsely for God and speak deceitfully for him?

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

8Will you show partiality toward him? Will you plead the case for God?

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

9Will it be well with you when he searches you out? Or can you deceive him, as one deceives a man?

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

10He will surely rebuke you if in secret you show partiality.

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

11Will not his majesty terrify you, and the dread of him fall upon you?

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.

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.

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

14Why should I take my flesh in my teeth and put my life in my hand?

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

15Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face.

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

16This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him.

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

17Keep listening to my words, and let my declaration be in your ears.

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

18Behold, I have prepared my case; I know that I shall be in the right.

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

19Who is there who will contend with me? For then I would be silent and die.

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

20Only grant me two things, then I will not hide myself from your face:

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

21withdraw your hand far from me, and let not dread of you terrify me.

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

22Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and you reply to me.

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

23How many are my iniquities and my sins? Make me know my transgression and my sin.

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

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

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

25Will you frighten a driven leaf and pursue dry chaff?

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

26For you write bitter things against me and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.

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

27You put my feet in the stocks and watch all my paths; you set a limit for the soles of my feet.

27You put my feet in the stocks and stand watch over all my paths; You set a limit for the soles of my feet.

28Man wastes away like a rotten thing, like a garment that is moth-eaten.

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

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.

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