When they looked from a distance and did not recognize him [because of his disfigurement], they raised their voices and wept; and each one tore his robe [in grief] and they threw dust over their heads toward the sky [in sorrow].

“You would cast lots (gamble) over the fatherless
And bargain away your friend.

“Behold, God will not reject a man of integrity,
Nor will He strengthen or support evildoers.

“But I wish to speak to the Almighty,
And I desire to argue with God.

“Behold now, I have prepared my case;
I know that I will be vindicated.

“He will fail to bring his grapes to maturity [leaving them to wither unnourished] on the vine,
And will cast off blossoms [and fail to bring forth fruit] like the olive tree.

“God hands me over to criminals
And tosses me [headlong] into the hands of the wicked.

“For the wicked is thrown into a net by his own feet (wickedness),
And he steps on the webbing [of the lattice-covered pit].

“His troops come together
And build up their way and siege works against me
And camp around my tent.

“He swallows [his ill-gotten] riches,
But will vomit them up;
God will drive them out of his belly.

“When he fills his belly,
God will send His fierce anger on him
And will rain it upon him while he is eating.

“I smiled at them when they did not believe,
And they did not diminish the light of my face.

“For God has loosed His bowstring [attacking me] and [He has] afflicted and humbled me;
They have cast off the bridle [of restraint] before me.

“On my right the [rabble] brood rises;
They push my feet away, and they build up their ways of destruction against me [like an advancing army].

“God has cast me into the mire [a swampland of crisis],
And I have become [worthless] like dust and ashes.

“Tell us [Job] what words [of man] shall we say to such a Being;
We cannot state our case because of darkness [that is, our ignorance in the presence of the unsearchable God].

“They kneel down, they bring forth their young,
They cast out their labor pains.

“Behold, his [assailant’s] hope and expectation [of defeating Leviathan] is false;
Will not one be overwhelmed even at the sight of him?