English Standard Version

Christian Standard Bible

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

1Look, my eyes have seen all this; my ears have heard and understood it.

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

2Everything 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 prefer to speak to the Almighty and argue my case before God.

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

4You use lies like plaster; you are all worthless healers.

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

5If only you would shut up and let that be your wisdom!

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

6Hear now my argument, and listen to my defense.

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

7Would you testify unjustly 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 partiality to him or argue the case 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 go well if he examined you? Could you deceive him as you would deceive 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 God's majesty not terrify you? Would his dread not fall on you?

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

12Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ash; your defenses are made of clay.

13“Let me have silence, and I will speak, and let come on me what may.

13Be quiet, and I will speak. Let whatever comes happen to me.

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

14I will 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.

15Even if he kills me, I will hope in him. I will still defend my ways before him.

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

16Yes, this will result in my deliverance, for no godless person can appear before him.

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

17Pay close attention 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.

18Now then, I have prepared my case; I know that I am right.

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, God, so that I will not have to hide from your presence:

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

21remove 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, and I will answer, or I will speak, and you can respond to me.

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

23How many iniquities and sins have I committed? 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 your enemy?

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

25Will you frighten a wind-driven leaf? Will you chase after dry straw?

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

26For you record bitter accusations against me and make me inherit 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, setting a limit for the soles of my feet.

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

28A person wears out 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.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.