Wherefore have knees been before me? And what are breasts, that I suck?

For a fear I feared and it meeteth me, And what I was afraid of doth come to me.

What is my power that I should hope? And what mine end That I should prolong my life?

Shew me, and I -- I keep silent, And what I have erred, let me understand.

How powerful have been upright sayings, And what doth reproof from you reprove?

What is man that Thou dost magnify him? And that Thou settest unto him Thy heart?

I have sinned, what do I to Thee, O watcher of man? Why hast Thou set me for a mark to Thee, And I am for a burden to myself -- and what?

Truly I have known that it is so, And what -- is man righteous with God?

Lo, He snatches away, who bringeth it back? Who saith unto Him, 'What dost Thou?'

Heights of the heavens! -- what dost thou? Deeper than Sheol! -- what knowest thou?

Keep silent from me, and I speak, And pass over me doth what?

What hast thou known, and we know not? Understandest thou -- and it is not with us?

What -- doth thine heart take thee away? And what -- are thine eyes high?

What is man that he is pure, And that he is righteous, one born of woman?

Is there an end to words of wind? Or what doth embolden thee that thou answerest?

If I speak, my pain is not restrained, And I cease -- what goeth from me?

He is giving back what he laboured for, And doth not consume it; As a bulwark is his exchange, and he exults not.

What is the Mighty One that we serve Him? And what do we profit when we meet with Him?'

For what is his delight in his house after him, And the number of his months cut off?

And thou hast said, 'What -- hath God known? Through thickness doth He judge?

Those saying to God, 'Turn aside from us,' And what doth the Mighty One to them?

I know the words He doth answer me, And understand what He saith to me.

And what? is man righteous with God? And what? is he pure -- born of a woman?

What -- thou hast helped the powerless, Saved an arm not strong!

What -- thou hast given counsel to the unwise, And wise plans in abundance made known.

For what is the hope of the profane, When He doth cut off? When God doth cast off his soul?

A covenant I made for mine eyes, And what -- do I attend to a virgin?

And what is the portion of God from above? And the inheritance of the Mighty from the heights?

Then what do I do when God ariseth? And when He doth inspect, What do I answer Him?

Judgment let us choose for ourselves, Let us know among ourselves what is good.

By thee doth He recompense, That thou hast refused -- That thou dost choose, and not I? And what thou hast known, speak.

For thou sayest, 'What doth it profit Thee! What do I profit from my sin?'

If thou hast sinned, what dost thou against Him? And thy transgressions have been multiplied, What dost thou to Him?

If thou hast been righteous, What dost thou give to Him? Or what from thy hand doth He receive?

Let us know what we say to Him, We set not in array because of darkness.

On what have its sockets been sunk? Or who hath cast its corner-stone?

Lo, I have been vile, What do I return to Thee? My hand I have placed on my mouth.