Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that my adversary had written a book.
Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears.
Why hide you your face, and hold me for your enemy?
Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.
Lay down a surety for me with you; who is he that will give surety for me?
He has also kindled his wrath against me, and he counts me unto him as one of his enemies.
Behold, I cry out concerning wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but there is no justice.
Let my enemy be as the wicked, and he that rises up against me as the unrighteous.
I cry unto you, and you do not hear me: I stand up, and you regard me not.
Yet he will not stretch out his hand to the grave, though they cry out in his destruction.
I went mourning but not in the sun: I stood up, and I cried in the congregation.
Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crown to me.
Behold, I am according to your wish in God’s stead: I also am formed out of the clay.
Although you say you shall not see him, yet justice is before him; therefore you must trust in him.
Shall he that contends with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproves God, let him answer it.
[A Psalm of David.] Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in my integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.
Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison.