Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breast, that I should nurse?

For now should I have lain down and been quiet. I should have slept, then I would have been at rest,

What is my strength, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should be patient?

"To him who is ready to faint, kindness should be shown from his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

What is man, that you should magnify him, that you should set your mind on him,

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

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

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

I should have been as though I had not been. I should have been carried from the womb to the grave.

"Shouldn't the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?

Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, shall no man make you ashamed?

Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceives a man, will you deceive him?

Why should I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand?

If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my warfare would I wait, until my release should come.

"Should a wise man answer with vain knowledge, and fill himself 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? What is he who is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?

As for me, is my complaint to man? Why shouldn't I be impatient?

What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What profit should we have, if we pray to him?'

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

Far be it from me that I should justify you. Until I die I will not put away my integrity from me.

"I made a covenant with my eyes, how then should I look lustfully at a young woman?

this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges; for I should have denied the God who is above.

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

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

"Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.

For he doesn't need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment.

Shall it be told him that I would speak? Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?

that you should take it to its bound, that you should discern the paths to its house?

Will he make a covenant with you, that you should take him for a servant forever?

Who has first given to me, that I should repay him? Everything under the heavens is mine.