31-34 “Didn’t those who worked for me say,
    ‘He fed us well. There were always second helpings’?
And no stranger ever had to spend a night in the street;
    my doors were always open to travelers.
Did I hide my sin the way Adam did,
    or conceal my guilt behind closed doors
Because I was afraid what people would say,
    fearing the gossip of the neighbors so much
That I turned myself into a recluse?
    You know good and well that I didn’t.

35-37 “Oh, if only someone would give me a hearing!
    I’ve signed my name to my defense—let the Almighty One answer!
    I want to see my indictment in writing.
Anyone’s welcome to read my defense;
    I’ll write it on a poster and carry it around town.
I’m prepared to account for every move I’ve ever made—
    to anyone and everyone, prince or pauper.

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34 because I so feared the crowd(A)
    and so dreaded the contempt of the clans
    that I kept silent(B) and would not go outside—

35 (“Oh, that I had someone to hear me!(C)
    I sign now my defense—let the Almighty answer me;
    let my accuser(D) put his indictment in writing.
36 Surely I would wear it on my shoulder,(E)
    I would put it on like a crown.(F)

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