Daily Bread

⁶ Hear now my argument;
    listen to the pleas of my lips.^(A)
7 Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf?
    Will you speak deceitfully for him?^(B)
8 Will you show him partiality?^(C)
    Will you argue the case for God?
⁹ Would it turn out well if he examined you?^(D)
    Could you deceive him as you might deceive a mortal?^(E)
10 He would surely call you to account
    if you secretly showed partiality.^(F)
11 Would not his splendor^(G) terrify you?
    Would not the dread of him fall on you?^(H)
12 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes;
    your defenses are defenses of clay.^(I)

¹³ “Keep silent^(J) and let me speak;^(K)
    then let come to me what may.^(L)
14 Why do I put myself in jeopardy
    and take my life in my hands?^(M)
15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope^(N) in him;^(O)
    I will surely^[a] defend my ways to his face.^(P)
16 Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance,^(Q)
    for no godless^(R) person would dare come before him!^(S)
17 Listen carefully to what I say;^(T)
    let my words ring in your ears.
¹⁸ Now that I have prepared my case,^(U)
    I know I will be vindicated.^(V)
19 Can anyone bring charges against me?^(W)
    If so, I will be silent^(X) and die.^(Y)

²⁰ “Only grant me these two things, God,
    and then I will not hide from you:
²¹ Withdraw your hand^(Z) far from me,
    and stop frightening me with your terrors.^(AA)
22 Then summon me and I will answer,^(AB)
    or let me speak, and you reply to me.^(AC)
23 How many wrongs and sins have I committed?^(AD)
    Show me my offense and my sin.^(AE)
24 Why do you hide your face^(AF)
    and consider me your enemy?^(AG)
25 Will you torment^(AH) a windblown leaf?^(AI)
    Will you chase^(AJ) after dry chaff?^(AK)
26 For you write down bitter things against me
    and make me reap the sins of my youth.^(AL)
27 You fasten my feet in shackles;^(AM)
    you keep close watch on all my paths^(AN)
    by putting marks on the soles of my feet.

²⁸ “So man wastes away like something rotten,
    like a garment^(AO) eaten by moths.^(AP)