Read the Bible

¹ "Look, I have seen all this with my own eyes
    and heard it with my own ears, and now I understand.
² I know as much as you do.
    You are no better than I am.
³ As for me, I would speak directly to the Almighty.
    I want to argue my case with God himself.
⁴ As for you, you smear me with lies.
    As physicians, you are worthless quacks.
⁵ If only you could be silent!
    That's the wisest thing you could do.
⁶ Listen to my charge;
    pay attention to my arguments.

⁷ "Are you defending God with lies?
    Do you make your dishonest arguments for his sake?
⁸ Will you slant your testimony in his favor?
    Will you argue God's case for him?
⁹ What will happen when he finds out what you are doing?
    Can you fool him as easily as you fool people?
¹⁰ No, you will be in trouble with him
    if you secretly slant your testimony in his favor.
¹¹ Doesn't his majesty terrify you?
    Doesn't your fear of him overwhelm you?
¹² Your platitudes are as valuable as ashes.
    Your defense is as fragile as a clay pot.

¹³ "Be silent now and leave me alone.
    Let me speak, and I will face the consequences.
¹⁴ Why should I put myself in mortal danger^[a]
    and take my life in my own hands?
¹⁵ God might kill me, but I have no other hope.^[b]
    I am going to argue my case with him.
¹⁶ But this is what will save me—I am not godless.
    If I were, I could not stand before him.

¹⁷ "Listen closely to what I am about to say.
    Hear me out.
¹⁸ I have prepared my case;
    I will be proved innocent.
¹⁹ Who can argue with me over this?
    And if you prove me wrong, I will remain silent and die.

²⁰ "O God, grant me these two things,
    and then I will be able to face you.
²¹ Remove your heavy hand from me,
    and don't terrify me with your awesome presence.
²² Now summon me, and I will answer!
    Or let me speak to you, and you reply.
²³ Tell me, what have I done wrong?
    Show me my rebellion and my sin.
²⁴ Why do you turn away from me?
    Why do you treat me as your enemy?
²⁵ Would you terrify a leaf blown by the wind?
    Would you chase dry straw?

²⁶ "You write bitter accusations against me
    and bring up all the sins of my youth.
²⁷ You put my feet in stocks.
    You examine all my paths.
    You trace all my footprints.
²⁸ I waste away like rotting wood,
    like a moth-eaten coat.