‘Can [mortal] man be just before God or be more righteous than He?
Can a man be pure before his Maker or be more cleansed than He?

Then, if you are pure and upright,
Surely now He will awaken for you
And restore your righteous place.

“For you have said, ‘My teaching (doctrine) [that God knowingly afflicts the righteous] is pure,
And I am innocent in your eyes.’

“What is man, that he should be pure and clean,
Or he who is born of a woman, that he should be righteous and just?

Although there is no violence or wrongdoing in my hands,
And my prayer is pure.

“But He knows the way that I take [and He pays attention to it].
When He has tried me, I will come forth as [refined] gold [pure and luminous].

“How then can man be justified and righteous with God?
Or how can he who is born of a woman be pure and clean?

“Behold, even the moon has no brightness [compared to God’s majesty and glory]
And the stars are not pure in His sight,

“The topaz of Ethiopia cannot compare with it,
Nor can it be valued in pure gold.