Lo, He doth slay me -- I wait not! Only, my ways unto His face I argue.

Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth? And my soul put in my hand?

Also -- He is to me for salvation, For the profane cometh not before Him.

Lo, I pray you, I have set in order the cause, I have known that I am righteous.

Hear ye diligently my word, And my declaration with your ears.

How many iniquities and sins have I? My transgression and my sin let me know.

Thy hand put far off from me, And Thy terror let not terrify me.

Only two things, O God, do with me: Then from Thy face I am not hidden.

Who is he that doth strive with me? For now I keep silent and gasp.

And call Thou, and I -- I answer, Or -- I speak, and answer Thou me.

For Thou writest against me bitter things, And causest me to possess iniquities of my youth:

And he, as a rotten thing, weareth away, As a garment hath a moth consumed him.

A leaf driven away dost Thou terrify? And the dry stubble dost Thou pursue?

And puttest in the stocks my feet, And observest all my paths, On the roots of my feet Thou settest a print,

Why dost Thou hide Thy face? And reckonest me for an enemy to Thee?

And yet, ye are forgers of falsehood, Physicians of nought -- all of you,

Lo, all -- hath mine eye seen, Heard hath mine ear, and it attendeth to it.

For God do ye speak perverseness? And for Him do ye speak deceit?

Is it good that He doth search you, If, as one mocketh at a man, ye mock at Him?

Yet I for the Mighty One do speak, And to argue for God I delight.

According to your knowledge I have known -- also I. I am not fallen more than you.

O that ye would keep perfectly silent, And it would be to you for wisdom.

Keep silent from me, and I speak, And pass over me doth what?

His face do ye accept, if for God ye strive?

He doth surely reprove you, if in secret ye accept faces.

Your remembrances are similes of ashes, For high places of clay your heights.

Hear, I pray you, my argument, And to the pleadings of my lips attend,

Doth not His excellency terrify you? And His dread fall upon you?