1 Behold mine eye hath seen all these things, and mine ear hath heard, and I have understood every thing.
1 Behold my eye hath seen all these things, and my ear hath heard them, and I have understood them all.
2 According to your knowledge I also do know: neither am I inferior to you.
2 According to your knowledge I also know: neither am I inferior to you.
3 But yet I will speak to the Omnipotent, and I covet to dispute with God.
3 But yet I will speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.
4 First shewing you to be forgers of lying, and maintainers of perverse opinions.
4 Having first shown that you are forgers of lies, and maintainers of perverse opinions.
5 And would God ye would hold your peace, that you might be thought to be wise men.
5 And I wish you would hold your peace, that you might be thought to be wise men.
6 Hear ye therefore my correptions, and attend the judgment of my lips.
6 Hear ye therefore my reproof, and attend to the judgment of my lips.
7 Hath God need of your lie, that for him you speak guiles?
7 Hath God any need of your lie, that you should speak deceitfully for him?
8 Do you take his person, and do you endeavour to judge for God?
8 Do you accept his person, and do you endeavor to judge for God?
9 Or shall it please him from whom nothing can be concealed, or shall he be deceived as a man, with your fraudulent dealings?
9 Or shall it please him, from whom nothing can be concealed? Or shall he be deceived as a man, with your deceitful dealings?
10 He shall reprove you, because in secret you take his person.
10 He shall reprove you, because in secret you accept his person.
11 Forthwith as he shall move himself, he shall trouble you: and his terror shall come violently upon you.
11 As soon as he shall move himself, he shall trouble you: and his dread shall fall upon you.
12 Your memory shall be compared to ashes, and your necks shall be brought into clay.
12 Your remembrance shall be compared to ashes, and your necks shall be brought to clay.
13 Hold your peace a little while, that I may speak whatsoever my mind shall prompt me.
13 Hold your peace a little while, that I may speak whatsoever my mind shall suggest to me.
14 Why do I tear my flesh with my teeth, and carry my soul in my hands?
14 Why do I tear my flesh with my teeth, and carry my soul in my hands?
15 Although he shall kill me, I will trust in him: but yet I will reprove my ways in his sight.
15 Although he should kill me, I will trust in him: but yet I will reprove my ways in his sight.
16 And he shall be my saviour: for no hypocrite shall come in his sight.
16 And he shall be my savior: for no hypocrite shall come before his presence.
17 Hear ye my word, and receive the obscure sayings with your ears.
17 Hear ye my speech, and receive with your ears hidden truths.
18 If I shall be judged, I know that I shall be found just.
18 If I shall be judged, I know that I shall be found just.
19 What is he that will be judged with me? Let him come: why am I consumed holding my peace?
19 Who is he that will plead against me? Let him come: why am I consumed holding my peace?
20 Two things only do not to me, and then shall I not be hid from thy face:
20 Two things only do not to me, and then from thy face I shall not be hid:
21 Make thy hand far from me, and let not thy fear terrify me.
21 Withdraw thy hand far from me, and let not thy dread terrify me.
22 Call me, and I will answer thee: or else I will speak, and do thou answer me.
22 Call me, and I will answer thee: or else I will speak, and do thou answer me.
23 How great iniquities and sins I have, my wicked deeds and my offences shew thou me.
23 How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me know my crimes and offences.
24 Why hidest thou thy face, and thinkest me thine enemy?
24 Why hidest thou thy face, and thinkest me thy enemy?
25 Against the leaf, that is violently taken with the wind, thou shewest thy might, and persecutest dry stubble.
25 Against a leaf, that is carried away with the wind, thou showest thy power, and thou pursuest a dry straw.
26 For thou writest bitterness against me, and wilt consume me with the sins of my youth.
26 For thou writest bitter things against me, and wilt consume me for the sins of my youth.
27 Thou hast put my feet in the stocks, and hast observed all my paths, and hast considered the steps of my feet.
27 Thou hast put my feet in the stocks, and hast observed all my paths, and hast considered the steps of my feet:
28 Who as rottenness am to be consumed, and as a garment, that is eaten of the moth.
28 Who am to be consumed as rottenness, and as a garment that is moth eaten.