And further, when you say that his anger does not punish, and that he does not know transgression!

but from my youth I raised the orphan like a father, and from my mother's womb I guided the widow!

what he stores up a righteous man will wear, and an innocent man will inherit his silver.

if the members of my household have never said, 'If only there were someone who has not been satisfied from Job's meat!' --

My roots reach the water, and the dew lies on my branches all night long.

Arrows do not make it flee; slingstones become like chaff to it.

then he reveals to them what they have done, and their transgressions, that they were behaving proudly.

So do not say, 'We have found wisdom! God will refute him, not man!'

Pay attention, Job -- listen to me; be silent, and I will speak.

They destroy my path; they succeed in destroying me without anyone assisting them.

then he looked at wisdom and assessed its value; he established it and examined it closely.

then this also would be iniquity to be judged, for I would have been false to God above.

The deep says, 'It is not with me.' And the sea says, 'It is not with me.'

Therefore, he knows their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.

They were banished from the community -- people shouted at them like they would shout at thieves --

They crouch, they bear their young, they bring forth the offspring they have carried.

Its underparts are the sharp points of potsherds, it leaves its mark in the mud like a threshing sledge.

Do you count the months they must fulfill, and do you know the time they give birth?

the young men would see me and step aside, and the old men would get up and remain standing;

He does not allow the wicked to live, but he gives justice to the poor.

All humanity has seen it; people gaze on it from afar.

"May my enemy be like the wicked, my adversary like the unrighteous.

With great power God grasps my clothing; he binds me like the collar of my tunic.

"They are dismayed and cannot answer any more; they have nothing left to say.

See now, I have opened my mouth; my tongue in my mouth has spoken.

He puts my feet in shackles; he watches closely all my paths.'

Reply to me, if you can; set your arguments in order before me and take your stand!

The wild animals go to their lairs, and in their dens they remain.

"Surely one does not stretch out his hand against a broken man when he cries for help in his distress.

Take heed, do not turn to evil, for because of this you have been tested by affliction.

But you say, 'What will it profit you,' and, 'What do I gain by not sinning?'

It makes the deep boil like a cauldron and stirs up the sea like a pot of ointment,

Would your wealth sustain you, so that you would not be in distress, even all your mighty efforts?

Do you know how God commands them, how he makes lightning flash in his storm cloud?

Men of understanding say to me -- any wise man listening to me says --

He strikes them for their wickedness, in a place where people can see,

Now I was paying you close attention, yet there was no one proving Job wrong, not one of you was answering his statements!

Is it your opinion that God should recompense it, because you reject this? But you must choose, and not I, so tell us what you know.

Yet I have not been silent because of the darkness, because of the thick darkness that covered my face.

which I reserve for the time of trouble, for the day of war and battle?

But now you are preoccupied with the judgment due the wicked, judgment and justice take hold of you.

to satisfy a devastated and desolate land, and to cause it to sprout with vegetation?

Therefore I say, 'Listen to me. I, even I, will explain what I know.'

Or speak to the earth and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea declare to you.

then let me sow and let another eat, and let my crops be uprooted.

Therefore no fear of me should terrify you, nor should my pressure be heavy on you.

See how he scattered his lightning about him; he has covered the depths of the sea.

Who has prescribed his ways for him? Or said to him, 'You have done what is wicked'?

If you have any words, reply to me; speak, for I want to justify you.

that you may take them to their borders and perceive the pathways to their homes?

They come in as through a wide breach; amid the crash they come rolling in.

because they have turned away from following him, and have not understood any of his ways,

How you have advised the one without wisdom, and abundantly revealed your insight!

Do not long for the cover of night to drag people away from their homes.

A club is counted as a piece of straw; it laughs at the rattling of the lance.

You know, for you were born before them; and the number of your days is great!

And I have waited. But because they do not speak, because they stand there and answer no more,

"If you have understanding, listen to this, hear what I have to say.

It leaves a glistening wake behind it; one would think the deep had a head of white hair.

If you yourselves have all seen this, Why in the world do you continue this meaningless talk?

If not, you listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom."

for I do not know how to give honorary titles, if I did, my Creator would quickly do away with me.

I too will answer my part, I too will explain what I know.

It regards iron as straw and bronze as rotten wood.

If I lift myself up, you hunt me as a fierce lion, and again you display your power against me.

I will reply to you, and to your friends with you.

Should he be informed that I want to speak? If a man speaks, surely he would be swallowed up!

when the Almighty was still with me and my children were around me;

Tell us what we should say to him. We cannot prepare a case because of the darkness.

I will speak, so that I may find relief; I will open my lips, so that I may answer.