Look! You've admonished many people, and you've strengthened feeble hands.

"Look! We have thought all this through, and what we've said is true; So please listen and learn for your own good!"

It would weigh more than the sand on the seashore! Here's why I've talked so rashly:

"Instruct me, and I'll remain silent. Help me understand where I've gone astray.

Truly I've been allotted months of emptiness; nights of trouble have been appointed for me.

For I've said, "My bed will comfort me; my couch will ease my burdens while I complain.'

""Please remember that you've made me like clay and you'll return me to dust.

But you've hidden these things in your heart I know this was your purpose:

""You have brought new witnesses against me, you're even more angry with me you've brought fresh troops to attack me!

My days are so few, aren't they? So leave me alone, then, so I can smile a little

You've said, "My teaching is flawless; I'm clean in God's sight.'

"Look, I've seen everything; I've listened carefully and I understand.

"Look, now! I've prepared my case for court. I know that I'm going to win.

You've accused me of bitter things; you've caused me to reap the sins of my youth.

You've locked my feet in stocks; you watch all my steps; You've limited where I can walk.

Since his days have been determined, the number of his months is known to you. You've set his limit and he cannot exceed it.

"I'll tell you what, listen to me! Let me relate what I've seen,

"I've heard many things like this. What miserable comforters you all are!

You've arrested me, making me testify against myself! My leanness rises up to attack me, accusing me to my face.

"I've even sewn sackcloth directly to my skin; I've buried my strength in the dust.

For when only a few years have elapsed, I'll start down a path from which I'll never return."

Ten times you've tried to humiliate me! You're not ashamed to wrong me!

Even if it's true that I've erred, my error only affects me.

Bear with me and let me speak! Then, after I've spoken, you'll be free to mock me.

"After all, you've taken collateral from your relatives for no reason; you stripped the naked of their clothing.

You've neglected to give water to the weary, and you've withheld food from the hungry.

You've asked, "What does God know? Can he sort through pitch black darkness?'

I haven't wandered away from the commands that he has spoken; I've treasured what he has said more than my own meals."

Indeed, these are the fringes of his ways, and how faint is the whisper we've heard of it! But who can comprehend the thunder of his might?"

"I wish I could go back to how things were a few months ago; when God used to watch over me,

"Now, I've become the object of their mocking melodies; I'm nothing but a fool's proverb to them!

But God has loosened his cord and afflicted me; so they've cast off all restraints in my presence.

"He tossed me into the mire; I've become like dust and ashes.

I've become a brother to jackals, and a friend to ostriches.

"If I've lived my life in the company of vanity, or run quickly to embrace deception,

what I've planted, let another eat or let my crops be uprooted."

"If my heart has been seduced by a woman and I've laid in wait at my friend's door,

"If I've refused to help my male and female servants when they complain against me,

if I've observed someone who is about to die for lack of clothes or if I have no clothing to give to the poor,

if I've raised my hand against an orphan when I thought I would against him in court,

"If I've put my confidence in gold, if I've told gold, "You're my security,'

if I've found joy in great wealth that I own, if I've earned a lot with my own hands,

I'll give an account for every step I've taken; I'll approach him confidently like a Commander-in-Chief."

If I've consumed its produce without paying for it and snuffed out the life of its owners;

Look! I've begun to speak, and I'm fashioning my words.

"You spoke clearly so I could hear; I've heard what you've said:

"He'll sing to mankind with these words: "I've sinned. I have twisted what is right. Yet he has not repaid me like I deserve.

because they've abandoned their pursuit of him and had no respect for any of his ways.

"Has anyone ever really told God, "I've endured, and I won't act corruptly anymore.

What I don't see, instruct me! If I've done anything evil, I won't repeat it!'

After all, you've asked what your benefit will be: "What will I profit from refraining from sin?'

which I've reserved for the tribulation to come, for the day of battle and war?

to whom I've given the Arabah for a home; the salt plain for his dwelling place?

I've heard you with my ears; and now I've seen you with my eyes.