Let darkness and deep shadow claim it; let clouds settle on it; let them terrify it [with the] blackness of day.

because it did not shut the doors of my [mother's] womb, nor did it hide trouble from my eyes.

"Look, happy [is the] human being whom God reproves; and you must not despise the discipline of Shaddai,

for the arrows of Shaddai [are] in me; my spirit drinks their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.

"Loyal love [should come] for the afflicted [from] his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of Shaddai.

Like a slave he longs for [the] shadow, and like a laborer he waits for his wages.

Does God pervert justice, {or} Shaddai pervert righteousness?

If you yourself would seek God, then you would plead to Shaddai for grace.

for we [are of] yesterday, and we do not know, for our days on earth [are] a shadow.

Yet he will fill your mouth [with] laughter and your lips [with] a shout of joy.

Before I go--and I will not return-- to [the] land of darkness and deep shadow,

to [the] land of darkness, like [the] darkness of a deep shadow and {chaos}, so that it shines forth like darkness.'"

"Can you find [out] the essence of God, or can you find [out] {the ultimate limits} of Shaddai?

"He uncovers mysteries out of darkness, and he brings deep shadow to the light.

But I would speak to Shaddai, and I desire to argue with God.

Like a flower he comes up, and he withers away; and he flees like a shadow, but he does not last.

Because he stretched out his hand against God, and he was arrogant to Shaddai;

"He will not escape from darkness; a flame will dry up his new shoot, and by the wind of his mouth he shall be removed.

And my eye has grown dim from grief, and the limbs of my body [are] all like a shadow.

Who [is] Shaddai that we should serve him, or what would we benefit when we plead with him?'

Let his eyes see his decay, and let him drink from the wrath of Shaddai,

[Is] it a pleasure to Shaddai if you are righteous, or a gain if you make your ways blameless?

[Those] who said to God, 'Turn away from us,' and 'What can Shaddai do to us?'

If you return to Shaddai, you will be restored; [if] you remove wickedness from your tent,

then Shaddai will be your gold ore and {your precious silver}.

Indeed, then you will delight yourself in Shaddai, and {you will expect that God will be good to you}.

Indeed, God has made my heart faint, and Shaddai has terrified me.

"Why are not times kept by Shaddai, and [why] do not [those who] know him see his days?

He digs through houses in the darkness; by day they shut themselves in-- they do not know [the] light

"{As God lives}, he has removed my justice, and Shaddai has made my inner self bitter.

Or, in Shaddai will he find delight? Will he call upon God at all times?

"I will teach you about God's hand; I will not conceal that [which is] with Shaddai.

"This [is the] portion of [the] wicked human being with God, and they receive from Shaddai [the] inheritance of [the] ruthless.

He puts an end to darkness, and he searches out the farthest limits [for the] ore [in] gloom and deep shadow.

when Shaddai[was] still with me, my children [were] all around me,

They were driven out from fellow people; they shout at them as [at] a thief,

And what [is] the portion of God from above or the heritage of Shaddai from on high?

{O that} {I had} someone hearing me! Here is my signature; let Shaddai answer me! {As for} [the] written communication [that] {my adversary} has written,

"Truly, it [is] a spirit in a human being, and the breath of Shaddai teaches them.

The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of Shaddai gives life to me.

He prays to God, then he accepts him, and he sees his face with a shout of joy, and he repays to the human being his righteousness.

"Therefore, listen to me, {people who have sense}: far be it from God {that he should commit wickedness} and that Shaddai {should do wrong}.

What's more, God truly does not act wickedly, and Shaddai does not pervert justice.

There is no darkness, and there is no deep shadow where instigators of mischief might hide themselves.

"Surely God does not hear an empty plea, and Shaddai does not regard it.

[As for] Shaddai, we cannot attain him; [he is] exalted [in] power, and he does not oppress justice and abundant righteousness.

"Or [who] shut [the] sea in with doors at its bursting, [when] it went out of [the] womb,

Have [the] gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen [the] gates of deep shadow?

"Shall a faultfinder contend with Shaddai? Anyone who argues with God must answer it."

[The] lotus trees cover it [with] their shade; [the] wadi's poplar trees surround it.

Its back [has] scales of shields; it is shut up closely [as with] a seal.

Torches go from its mouth; sparks of fire shoot out.