“It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance;
A form was before my eyes;
There was silence, then I heard a voice:

“If one wished to dispute with Him,
He could not answer Him once in a thousand times.

“Were He to snatch away, who could restrain Him?
Who could say to Him, ‘What are You doing?’

“For though I were right, I could not answer;
I would have to implore the mercy of my judge.

“If I called and He answered me,
I could not believe that He was listening to my voice.

“Then, indeed, you could lift up your face without moral defect,
And you would be steadfast and not fear.

“I too could speak like you,
If I were in your place.
I could compose words against you
And shake my head at you.

“I could strengthen you with my mouth,
And the solace of my lips could lessen your pain.

“I have made a covenant with my eyes;
How then could I gaze at a virgin?

What then could I do when God arises?
And when He calls me to account, what will I answer Him?