I am innocent and faithful, but my words sound guilty, and everything I say seems to condemn me.

If God were human, I could answer him; we could go to court to decide our quarrel.

But there is no one to step between us--- no one to judge both God and me.

Don't condemn me, God. Tell me! What is the charge against me?

How I wish I knew where to find him, and knew how to go where he is.

I want to know what he would say and how he would answer me.

I am honest; I could reason with God; he would declare me innocent once and for all.

Will no one listen to what I am saying? I swear that every word is true. Let Almighty God answer me. If the charges my opponent brings against me were written down so that I could see them,

I would tell God everything I have done, and hold my head high in his presence.

Why do you accuse God of never answering our complaints?

If God took back the breath of life,

then everyone living would die and turn into dust again.

(SEE 40:1)

"I am the high and holy God, who lives forever. I live in a high and holy place, but I also live with people who are humble and repentant, so that I can restore their confidence and hope.

I gave my people life, and I will not continue to accuse them or be angry with them forever.

But who are you, my friend, to talk back to God? A clay pot does not ask the man who made it, "Why did you make me like this?"

None of us can see our own errors; deliver me, LORD, from hidden faults!

I am surrounded by many troubles--- too many to count! My sins have caught up with me, and I can no longer see; they are more than the hairs of my head, and I have lost my courage.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and there is no truth in us.

If our conscience condemns us, we know that God is greater than our conscience and that he knows everything.