“Behold, how happy is the man whom God reproves,
So do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.

“For the arrows of the Almighty are within me,
Their poison my spirit drinks;
The terrors of God are arrayed against me.

“For the despairing man there should be kindness from his friend;
So that he does not forsake the fear of the Almighty.

“Does God pervert justice?
Or does the Almighty pervert what is right?

“If you would seek God
And implore the compassion of the Almighty,

“Can you discover the depths of God?
Can you discover the limits of the Almighty?

“But I would speak to the Almighty,
And I desire to argue with God.

Because he has stretched out his hand against God
And conducts himself arrogantly against the Almighty.

‘Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him,
And what would we gain if we entreat Him?’

“Let his own eyes see his decay,
And let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty.

“Is there any pleasure to the Almighty if you are righteous,
Or profit if you make your ways perfect?

“They said to God, ‘Depart from us!’
And ‘What can the Almighty do to them?’

“If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored;
If you remove unrighteousness far from your tent,

Then the Almighty will be your gold
And choice silver to you.

“For then you will delight in the Almighty
And lift up your face to God.

“It is God who has made my heart faint,
And the Almighty who has dismayed me,

“Why are times not stored up by the Almighty,
And why do those who know Him not see His days?

“As God lives, who has taken away my right,
And the Almighty, who has embittered my soul,

“Will he take delight in the Almighty?
Will he call on God at all times?

“I will instruct you in the power of God;
What is with the Almighty I will not conceal.

“This is the portion of a wicked man from God,
And the inheritance which tyrants receive from the Almighty.

When the Almighty was yet with me,
And my children were around me;

“And what is the portion of God from above
Or the heritage of the Almighty from on high?

“Oh that I had one to hear me!
Behold, here is my signature;
Let the Almighty answer me!
And the indictment which my adversary has written,

“But it is a spirit in man,
And the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.

“The Spirit of God has made me,
And the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

“Therefore, listen to me, you men of understanding.
Far be it from God to do wickedness,
And from the Almighty to do wrong.

“Surely, God will not act wickedly,
And the Almighty will not pervert justice.

“Surely God will not listen to an empty cry,
Nor will the Almighty regard it.

“The Almighty—we cannot find Him;
He is exalted in power
And He will not do violence to justice and abundant righteousness.

“Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty?
Let him who reproves God answer it.”