New English [1970], THE NEW ENGLISH BIBLE (OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS; CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS, CAMBRIDGE) [word count] [B16000].
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1 All this I have seen with my own eyes,
with my own ears I have heard it, and understood it.
2 What you know, I also know;
in nothing do I fall short of you.
3 But for my part I would speak with the Almighty
and am ready to argue with God,
4 while you like fools are smearing truth with your falsehoods,
stitching a patchwork of lies, one and all.
5 Ah, if you would only be silent
and let silence be your wisdom!
6 Now listen to my arguments
and attend while I put my case.
7 Is it on God's behalf that you speak so wickedly,
or in his defence that you allege what is false?
8 Must you take God's part,
or put his case for him?
9 Will all be well when he examines you?
Will you quibble with him as you quibble with a man?
10 He will most surely expose you
if you take his part by falsely accusing me.
11 Will not God's majesty strike you with dread,
and terror of him overwhelm you?
12 Your pompous talk is dust and ashes,
your defences will crumble like clay. note
13 Be silent, leave me to speak my mind,
and let what may come upon me!
14 I will note put my neck in the noose note
and take my life in my hands.
15 If he would slay me, I should not hesitate;
I should still argue my cause to his face.
16 This at least assures my success,
that no godless man may appear before him.
17 Listen then, listen to my words,
and give a hearing to my exposition.
-- --
First cycle of speeches
18 Be sure of this: once I have stated my case
I know that I shall be acquitted.
19 Who is there that can argue so forcibly with me
that he could reduce me straightway to silence and death?
20
Grant me these two conditions only,
and then I will not hide myself out of thy sight:
21 take thy heavy hand clean away from me
and let not the fear of thee strike me with dread.
22 Then summon me, and I will answer;
or I will speak first, and do thou answer me.
23 How many iniquities and sins are laid to my charge?
let me know my offences and my sin.
24 Why dost thou hide thy face
and treat me as thy enemy?
25 Wilt thou chase a driven leaf,
wilt thou pursue dry chaff,
26 prescribing punishment note for me
and making me heir to the iniquities of my youth,
27 putting my feet in the stocks note
and setting a slave-mark on the arches of my feet? note
New English [1970], THE NEW ENGLISH BIBLE (OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS; CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS, CAMBRIDGE) [word count] [B16000].
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