Behold now, I have set my cause in order; I know that I shall be justified.
You know that I am not wicked; and there is none who can deliver out of Your hand.
I am a laughing-stock to his friends; who calls on God, and He answers him; the just, the upright one is a mockery;
Listen carefully to my words, and let what I say be in your ears.
Oh that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleads for his neighbor!
I would order my cause before Him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
I hold fast by my righteousness, and I will not let it go; my heart shall not shame me any of my days.
And these three men ceased from answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
You said, I am pure, without transgression; I am innocent, and no iniquity is in me;
For Job has said, I am righteous; and God has taken away my right;
Turn back, please let there be no sin; yea, return again, my righteousness is in this matter.
If I justify myself, my own mouth shall condemn me; though I am perfect, He shall declare me perverse.
Though I were perfect, yet I would not know my soul. I would despise my life.
Cause Me to remember; let us enter into judgment; declare yourself, that you may be justified.
For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity; not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God; we have had our conduct in the world, and more abundantly toward you.