Why did the knees receive me? or why the breasts that I should nurse?

For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then would I have been at rest,

Then should I still have comfort; yea, I would exult myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.

What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is my end, that I should prolong my life?

To him that is afflicted pity should be shown from his friend; even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

What is man, that you should magnify him? and that you should set your heart upon him?

And that you should visit him every morning, and test him every moment?

Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end should greatly increase.

I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just before God?

For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in trial.

Is it good unto you that you should oppress, that you should despise the work of your hands, and smile upon the counsel of the wicked?

Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?

Should your lies make men hold their peace? and when you mock, shall no man make you ashamed?

O that you would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom.

Is it good that he should search you out? or as one man mocks another, do you so mock him?

Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind?

Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches with which he can do no good?

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

But you should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me?

As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled?

What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?

There the righteous might reason with him; so should I be delivered forever from my judge.

God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove my integrity from me.

I made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I think upon a maiden?

This also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.

I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.

Lest you should say, We have found out wisdom: God vanquishes him, not man.

Should I lie concerning my right? my wound is incurable though I am without transgression.

For he has said, It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.

Therefore hearken unto me, you men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.

If he should set his heart upon man, if he should gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;

For he will not lay upon man more than what is right; that he should enter into judgment with God.

Should it be according to your mind? he will recompense it, whether you refuse, or whether you choose; and not I: therefore declare what you know.

Even so would he have removed you out of the distress into a broad place, where there is no restraint; and that which should be set on your table should be full of richness.

That you should take it to its domain, and that you should know the paths to its home?

Who has given to me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine.