Oh that one would hear me! Behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book.
Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears.
Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and holdest me for thine enemy?
Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.
Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who is he that will strike hands with me?
He hath also kindled his wrath against me, and he counteth me unto him as one of his enemies.
Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but there is no judgment.
Let mine enemy be as the wicked, and he that riseth up against me as the unrighteous.
I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me: I stand up, and thou regardest me not.
Howbeit he will not stretch out his hand to the grave, though they cry in his destruction.
I went mourning without 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 thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay.
Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him.
Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? He that reproveth God, let him answer it.
Judge me, O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the Lord; therefore I shall not slide.
Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.