King James Bible

International Standard Version

1Lo, mine eye hath seen all this, mine ear hath heard and understood it.

1"Look, I've seen everything; I've listened carefully and I understand.

2What ye know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you.

2What you know, I know, too; I'm not inferior to you.

3Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.

3But I want to talk to the Almighty; and I'm determined to argue my case before God."

4But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.

4"But as for you, you whitewash with lies; all of you are worthless quacks.

5O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom.

5I wish you'd all just shut up. Then at least you would appear to be wise.

6Hear now my reasoning, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips.

6"Now listen to my dispute! Pay attention to my arguments.

7Will ye speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for him?

7Why do you speak falsely on God's behalf and speak deceitfully about him?

8Will ye accept his person? will ye contend for God?

8Will you show partiality to him? Will you plead God's case?

9Is it good that he should search you out? or as one man mocketh another, do ye so mock him?

9Will things go well for you under his cross-examination? Can you lie to him, as you would to a human being?

10He will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly accept persons.

10"He will be sure to rebuke you, if you show partiality in secret.

11Shall not his excellency make you afraid? and his dread fall upon you?

11His splendor will petrify you with terror, paralyzing you with fear, won't it?

12Your remembrances are like unto ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay.

12Your maxims are just worthless proverbs; your defensive arguments are made of clay."

13Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what will.

13"Don't talk to me! It's my turn to speak; then whatever happens, happens.

14Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand?

14Why shouldn't I bite my flesh or take my life in my hands?

15Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

15Even though he kills me, I'll continue to hope in him. At least I'll be able to argue my case to his face!

16He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him.

16I have this as my salvation: the godless person won't be appearing before him.

17Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears.

17Pay attention to what I have to say and listen to my testimony with your own ears."

18Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified.

18"Look, now! I've prepared my case for court. I know that I'm going to win.

19Who is he that will plead with me? for now, if I hold my tongue, I shall give up the ghost.

19Who can oppose me? If they do, I'll be silent and die.

20Only do not two things unto me: then will I not hide myself from thee.

20Grant me only two things as you deal with me; then I won't hide from you.

21Withdraw thine hand far from me: and let not thy dread make me afraid.

21Withdraw your hand far from me and keep me from being petrified with terror.

22Then call thou, and I will answer: or let me speak, and answer thou me.

22Then call and I'll answer, or let me speak and then you reply to me!"

23How many are mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin.

23"How many of my iniquities and sins have you counted? Show me my transgression and sin.

24Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and holdest me for thine enemy?

24Why do you hide your face and regard me as your enemy?

25Wilt thou break a leaf driven to and fro? and wilt thou pursue the dry stubble?

25Are you a god who would make a leaf tremble or who would prosecute a dry straw?

26For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth.

26You've accused me of bitter things; you've caused me to reap the sins of my youth.

27Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, and lookest narrowly unto all my paths; thou settest a print upon the heels of my feet.

27You've locked my feet in stocks; you watch all my steps; You've limited where I can walk.

28And he, as a rotten thing, consumeth, as a garment that is moth eaten.

28So I'm a man who wears out like something rotten, like a garment that has become moth-eaten."

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.