"Why does God give light to one who is in misery, and life to those whose soul is bitter,

to those who wait for death that does not come, and search for it more than for hidden treasures,

For evil does not come up from the dust, nor does trouble spring up from the ground,

He does great and unsearchable things, marvelous things without number;

"Does the wild donkey bray when it is near grass? Or does the ox low near its fodder?

How painful are honest words! But what does your reproof prove?

"Does not humanity have hard service on earth? Are not their days also like the days of a hired man?

As a cloud is dispersed and then disappears, so the one who goes down to the grave does not come up again.

He returns no more to his house, nor does his place of residence know him any more.

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

He leans against his house but it does not hold up, he takes hold of it but it does not stand.

"Surely, God does not reject a blameless man, nor does he grasp the hand of the evildoers.

he who commands the sun and it does not shine and seals up the stars;

he does great and unsearchable things, and wonderful things without number.

God does not restrain his anger; under him the helpers of Rahab lie crushed.

He does not allow me to recover my breath, for he fills me with bitterness.

I also have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know such things as these?

Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this,

Does not the ear test words, as the tongue tastes food?

Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?

He grows up like a flower and then withers away; he flees like a shadow, and does not remain.

so man lies down and does not rise; until the heavens are no more, they will not awake nor arise from their sleep.

If his sons are honored, he does not know it; if they are brought low, he does not see it.

"Does a wise man answer with blustery knowledge, or fill his belly with the east wind?

Does he argue with useless talk, with words that have no value in them?

He does not expect to escape from darkness; he is marked for the sword;

"Yes, the lamp of the wicked is extinguished; his flame of fire does not shine.

I summon my servant, but he does not respond, even though I implore him with my own mouth.

Why do you pursue me like God does? Will you never be satiated with my flesh?

if he retains it for himself and does not let it go, and holds it fast in his mouth,

For he knows no satisfaction in his appetite; he does not let anything he desires escape.

"Nothing is left for him to devour; that is why his prosperity does not last.

"How often is the lamp of the wicked extinguished? How often does their misfortune come upon them? How often does God apportion pain to them in his anger?

But you have said, 'What does God know? Does he judge through such deep darkness?

Thick clouds are a veil for him, so he does not see us, as he goes back and forth in the vault of heaven.'

But he is unchangeable, and who can change him? Whatever he has desired, he does.

He preys on the barren and childless woman, and does not treat the widow well.

Can his armies be numbered? On whom does his light not rise?

For what hope does the godless have when he is cut off, when God takes away his life?

Does God listen to his cry when distress overtakes him?

Mankind does not know its place; it cannot be found in the land of the living.

"But wisdom -- where does it come from? Where is the place of understanding?

"Surely one does not stretch out his hand against a broken man when he cries for help in his distress.

Does he not see my ways and count all my steps?

Why do you contend against him, that he does not answer all a person's words?

"For God speaks, the first time in one way, the second time in another, though a person does not perceive it.

"Indeed, God does all these things, twice, three times, in his dealings with a person,

For he says, 'It does not profit a man when he makes his delight with God.'

Indeed, in truth, God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.

who shows no partiality to princes, and does not take note of the rich more than the poor, because all of them are the work of his hands?

For he does not still consider a person, that he should come before God in judgment.

If you sin, how does it affect God? If your transgressions are many, what does it do to him?

If you are righteous, what do you give to God, or what does he receive from your hand?

Then they cry out -- but he does not answer -- because of the arrogance of the wicked.

Surely it is an empty cry -- God does not hear it; the Almighty does not take notice of it.

And further, when you say that his anger does not punish, and that he does not know transgression!

Indeed, God is mighty; and he does not despise people, he is mighty, and firm in his intent.

He does not allow the wicked to live, but he gives justice to the poor.

He does not take his eyes off the righteous; but with kings on the throne he seats the righteous and exalts them forever.

After that a voice roars; he thunders with an exalted voice, and he does not hold back his lightning bolts when his voice is heard.

God thunders with his voice in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.

As for the Almighty, we cannot attain to him! He is great in power, but justice and abundant righteousness he does not oppress.

Therefore people fear him, for he does not regard all the wise in heart."

"In what direction does light reside, and darkness, where is its place,

Does the rain have a father, or who has fathered the drops of the dew?

From whose womb does the ice emerge, and the frost from the sky, who gives birth to it,

It scorns the tumult in the town; it does not hear the shouts of a driver.

It laughs at fear and is not dismayed; it does not shy away from the sword.