³ Gird up your loins like a man;
    I will question you, and you shall declare to me.^(A)

³⁵ O that I had one to hear me!
    (Here is my signature! Let the Almighty^[a] answer me!)
    O that I had the indictment written by my adversary!^(A)
36 Surely I would carry it on my shoulder;
    I would bind it on me like a crown;
³⁷ I would give him an account of all my steps;
    like a prince I would approach him.^(B)

³ Oh, that I knew where I might find him,
    that I might come even to his dwelling!^(A)
4 I would lay my case before him
    and fill my mouth with arguments.^(B)
5 I would learn what he would answer me
    and understand what he would say to me.
⁶ Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power?
    No, but he would give heed to me.
⁷ There the upright could reason with him,
    and I should be acquitted forever by my judge.^(C)

²² Then call, and I will answer;
    or let me speak, and you reply to me.^(A)