“Though He slay me,
I will hope in Him.
Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him.

“Why should I take my flesh in my teeth
And put my life in my hands?

“This also will be my salvation,
For a godless man may not come before His presence.

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

“Listen carefully to my speech,
And let my declaration fill your ears.

“How many are my iniquities and sins?
Make known to me my rebellion and my sin.

Remove Your hand from me,
And let not the dread of You terrify me.

“Only two things do not do to me,
Then I will not hide from Your face:

“Who will contend with me?
For then I would be silent and die.

“Then call, and I will answer;
Or let me speak, then reply to me.

“For You write bitter things against me
And make me to inherit the iniquities of my youth.

While I am decaying like a rotten thing,
Like a garment that is moth-eaten.

“Will You cause a driven leaf to tremble?
Or will You pursue the dry chaff?

“You put my feet in the stocks
And watch all my paths;
You set a limit for the soles of my feet,

“Why do You hide Your face
And consider me Your enemy?

“But you smear with lies;
You are all worthless physicians.

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

“Will you speak what is unjust for God,
And speak what is deceitful for Him?

“Will it be well when He examines you?
Or will you deceive Him as one deceives a man?

“But I would speak to the Almighty,
And I desire to argue with God.

“What you know I also know;
I am not inferior to you.

“O that you would be completely silent,
And that it would become your wisdom!

“Be silent before me so that I may speak;
Then let come on me what may.

“Will you show partiality for Him?
Will you contend for God?

“He will surely reprove you
If you secretly show partiality.

“Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes,
Your defenses are defenses of clay.

“Please hear my argument
And listen to the contentions of my lips.

“Will not His majesty terrify you,
And the dread of Him fall on you?