Thomson(i)
1 Behold these things mine eye hath seen and mine ear heard:
2 for I know all that you know and am not inferior to you in knowledge.
3 Nevertheless I would speak to the Lord; and argue before him, were it his pleasure.
4 Now you are all bad physicians and curers of maladies.
5 Could you hold your peace, it would be your wisdom.
6 Hear now the argument of my mouth and the pleading of my lips.
7 Are you not speaking in the presence of the Lord?
8 And do you in his presence utter deceit in a solemn manner? Or will you keep back any thing? Judge for yourselves.
9 For will it be well for you, if he mark your steps? For though feigning all these things you apply them for him:
10 he will, notwithstanding this, reprove you. And if you secretly respect persons;
11 will not his awful majesty confound you; and the terror of him fall upon you?
12 And your boasting be dissipated like ashes; and your bodies be reduced to clay.
13 Keep silence that I may speak, and have some respite from wrath.
14 Taking my flesh in my teeth I will put my life in my hand.
15 Though the Almighty, as he hath begun, may subdue me: yet I will speak and plead before him.
16 And this will contribute to my deliverance: for no deceit shall come before him.
17 Hear, hear my words: for I will proclaim them in your hearing.
18 Behold I am near my trial. I know that I shall appear just.
19 For who is there who will emplead me? For now I will be silent and expire.
20 Now two things thou art to grant me: then I will not hide myself from thy presence;
21 withdraw thy hand from me: and let not the dread of thee overwhelm me with terror.
22 Then call and I will answer thee: or speak and I will make thee a reply.
23 How many are my sins and mine iniquities? Teach me what they are.
24 Why dost thou hide thyself from me and hast accounted me thine adversary?
25 Canst thou be afraid of one who is like a leaf moved with a breath of wind? Or as against dried grass carried away with a blast, dost thou set thyself against me?
26 For thou hast written evil things against me; and laid to my charge the inadvertencies of youth;
27 and put my feet in a clog and watched all my doings; and hast tracked the soles of my feet.