13 “My eyes have seen all this,^(A)
    my ears have heard and understood it.
² What you know, I also know;
    I am not inferior to you.^(B)
3 But I desire to speak to the Almighty^(C)
    and to argue my case with God.^(D)
4 You, however, smear me with lies;^(E)
    you are worthless physicians,^(F) all of you!^(G)
5 If only you would be altogether silent!^(H)
    For you, that would be wisdom.^(I)
6 Hear now my argument;
    listen to the pleas of my lips.^(J)
7 Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf?
    Will you speak deceitfully for him?^(K)
8 Will you show him partiality?^(L)
    Will you argue the case for God?
⁹ Would it turn out well if he examined you?^(M)
    Could you deceive him as you might deceive a mortal?^(N)
10 He would surely call you to account
    if you secretly showed partiality.^(O)
11 Would not his splendor^(P) terrify you?
    Would not the dread of him fall on you?^(Q)
12 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes;
    your defenses are defenses of clay.^(R)

¹³ “Keep silent^(S) and let me speak;^(T)
    then let come to me what may.^(U)
14 Why do I put myself in jeopardy
    and take my life in my hands?^(V)
15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope^(W) in him;^(X)
    I will surely^[a] defend my ways to his face.^(Y)
16 Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance,^(Z)
    for no godless^(AA) person would dare come before him!^(AB)
17 Listen carefully to what I say;^(AC)
    let my words ring in your ears.
¹⁸ Now that I have prepared my case,^(AD)
    I know I will be vindicated.^(AE)
19 Can anyone bring charges against me?^(AF)
    If so, I will be silent^(AG) and die.^(AH)

²⁰ “Only grant me these two things, God,
    and then I will not hide from you:
²¹ Withdraw your hand^(AI) far from me,
    and stop frightening me with your terrors.^(AJ)
22 Then summon me and I will answer,^(AK)
    or let me speak, and you reply to me.^(AL)
23 How many wrongs and sins have I committed?^(AM)
    Show me my offense and my sin.^(AN)
24 Why do you hide your face^(AO)
    and consider me your enemy?^(AP)
25 Will you torment^(AQ) a windblown leaf?^(AR)
    Will you chase^(AS) after dry chaff?^(AT)
26 For you write down bitter things against me
    and make me reap the sins of my youth.^(AU)
27 You fasten my feet in shackles;^(AV)
    you keep close watch on all my paths^(AW)
    by putting marks on the soles of my feet.

²⁸ “So man wastes away like something rotten,
    like a garment^(AX) eaten by moths.^(AY)

“‘May his place be deserted;
    let there be no one to dwell in it,’^[c](P)

“‘May another take his place of leadership.’^[d](Q)