Read the Bible

¹ "Now my eyes have seen all this;
    my ears have heard and understood it.
² What you know, I also know.
    You are not better than I am.
³ But I want to speak to the Almighty
    and to argue my case with God.
⁴ But you smear me with lies.
    You are worthless doctors, all of you!
⁵ I wish you would just stop talking;
    then you would really be wise!
⁶ Listen to my argument,
    and hear the pleading of my lips.
⁷ You should not speak evil in the name of God;
    you cannot speak God's truth by telling lies.
⁸ You should not unfairly choose his side against mine;
    you should not argue the case for God.
⁹ You will not do well if he examines you;
    you cannot fool God as you might fool humans.
¹⁰ God would surely scold you
    if you unfairly took one person's side.
¹¹ His bright glory would scare you,
    and you would be very much afraid of him.
¹² Your wise sayings are worth no more than ashes,
    and your arguments are as weak as clay.

¹³ "Be quiet and let me speak.
    Let things happen to me as they will.
¹⁴ Why should I put myself in danger
    and take my life in my own hands?
¹⁵ Even if God kills me, I have hope in him;
    I will still defend my ways to his face.
¹⁶ This is my salvation.
    The wicked cannot come before him.
¹⁷ Listen carefully to my words;
    let your ears hear what I say.
¹⁸ See, I have prepared my case,
    and I know I will be proved right.
¹⁹ No one can accuse me of doing wrong.
    If someone can, I will be quiet and die.

²⁰ "God, please just give me these two things,
    and then I will not hide from you:
²¹ Take your punishment away from me,
    and stop frightening me with your terrors.
²² Then call me, and I will answer,
    or let me speak, and you answer.
²³ How many evil things and sins have I done?
    Show me my wrong and my sin.
²⁴ Don't hide your face from me;
    don't think of me as your enemy.
²⁵ Don't punish a leaf that is blown by the wind;
    don't chase after straw.
²⁶ You write down cruel things against me
    and make me suffer for my boyhood sins.
²⁷ You put my feet in chains
    and keep close watch wherever I go.
    You even mark the soles of my feet.

²⁸ "Everyone wears out like something rotten,
    like clothing eaten by moths.