"He won't become rich and his wealth won't last; he won't expand his holdings to cover the land.

"Why didn't I die from the womb? Why didn't I give up the spirit when my mother bore me?

Isn't your piety your confidence? Isn't the integrity of your ways your hope?

"Isn't a man forced to labor on earth? Aren't his days like the days of a hired hand?

Behold, he goes by me, and I don't see him. He passes on also, but I don't perceive him.

His sons come to honor, and he doesn't know it. They are brought low, but he doesn't perceive it of them.

Haven't you asked wayfaring men? Don't you know their evidences,

He works to the north, but I can't see him. He turns south, but I can't catch a glimpse of him.

"Why aren't times laid up by the Almighty? Why don't those who know him see his days?

The deep says, 'It isn't in me.' The sea says, 'It isn't with me.'

Didn't I weep for him who was in trouble? Wasn't my soul grieved for the needy?

Didn't he who made me in the womb make him? Didn't one fashion us in the womb?

if his heart hasn't blessed me, if he hasn't been warmed with my sheep's fleece;

Isn’t your wickedness abundant
and aren’t your iniquities endless?

What do you know that we don't know? What do you understand that we don't understand?

Look, if God doesn't trust his holy ones, if even the heavens aren't pure as he looks at them,

"An eye that gazes at him won't do so again; and his place won't even recognize him.

"He will restore what he has attained from his work and won't consume it; he won't enjoy the profits from his business transactions,

"Since his appetite won't quit; he won't let anything escape his lust.

Their wealth perishes with them, doesn't it? They die, and do so without having wisdom, don't they?"

The eyes of the one who sees me won't see me anymore; your eyes will look for me but I won't be around!

He doesn't return again to his house, and his place won't recognize him anymore."

Why won't you look away from me? Why don't you leave me alone so I can swallow my saliva?

Why haven't you pardoned my transgression and taken away my iniquity? Now I'm about to lie down in the dust. You will seek me diligently, but I won't be around!"

He leans against his house, but it won't stand; he grabs hold of it firmly, but it doesn't last.

I won't discriminate against anyone, and I won't flatter any person,

Truly, God doesn't practice wickedness, and the Almighty doesn't pervert justice.

Who isn't partial to princes? Who doesn't give preference to the nobles over the poor? Nevertheless, all of them are his handiwork.

What I don't see, instruct me! If I've done anything evil, I won't repeat it!'

Theirs is a useless plea God won't listen; the Almighty won't pay any attention.

"So now, if he doesn't inflict punishment in his anger, then he doesn't keep track of your many transgressions.

After all, isn't my complaint against a human being? If so, why shouldn't I be impatient?

"Look! If I go east, he isn't there! If I go to the west, I don't perceive him.

Behold, even the moon isn't bright, and the stars aren't pure in his eyes.

Mankind doesn't appreciate their value; and you won't find it anywhere on earth.

I spoke once, but I can't answer; I tried a second time, but I won't do so anymore."

You asked, "Who is this that darkens counsel without knowledge?' Well now, I have talked about what I don't understand awesome things beyond me that I don't know.