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

"Your fear of God has been your confidence, hasn't it? The integrity of your life has been your hope, hasn't it?

What do you know that we don't know, or that you understand and that isn't clear to us?

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.

"If he were to pass near me, I wouldn't notice; if he moves by, I wouldn't perceive him.

Haven't I wept for the one who is going through hard times? Haven't I grieved for the needy?

The one who made me in the womb made them, too, didn't he? Didn't the same one prepare each of us in the womb?"

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?

Haven't you asked travelers on the highway? Don't you accept their word

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

If he's working in the north, I can't observe him; If he turns south, I can't see him.

Why doesn't the Almighty reserve time for judgment? And why don't those who know him perceive his days?

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.