So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.

But now it is come unto thee, and thou faintest; It toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.

If thou wert pure and upright: Surely now he would awake for thee, And make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.

If thou set thy heart aright, And stretch out thy hands toward him;

Art thou the first man that was born? Or wast thou brought forth before the hills?

Are the consolations of God too small for thee, Even the word that is gentle toward thee?

If I have said to corruption, Thou art my father; To the worm, Thou art my mother, and my sister;

Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? Or is it gain to him , that thou makest thy ways perfect?

Yea, the strength of their hands, whereto should it profit me? Men in whom ripe age is perished.

They pluck salt-wort by the bushes; And the roots of the broom are their food.

Thou art turned to be cruel to me; With the might of thy hand thou persecutest me.

If I have made gold my hope, And have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence;

They are amazed, they answer no more: They have not a word to say.

Behold, I am toward God even as thou art: I also am formed out of the clay.

Behold, I will answer thee, in this thou art not just; For God is greater than man.

Him that saith to a king, Thou art vile, Or to nobles, Ye are wicked;

Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; And thy righteousness may profit a son of man.

But thou art full of the judgment of the wicked: Judgment and justice take hold on thee .