“Oh, that you would be completely silent,
And that silence would be your wisdom!

What wise men have [freely] told,
And have not hidden [anything passed on to them] from their fathers,

“Hear my words, you wise men,
And listen to me, you who have [so much] knowledge.

“Men of understanding will tell me,
Indeed, every wise man who hears me [will agree],

“Were you the first man to be born [the original wise man],
Or were you created before the hills?

“Should a wise man [such as you] utter such windy and vain knowledge [as we have just heard]
And fill himself with the east wind [of withering, parching, and violent accusations]?

“But as for all of you, come back again,
Even though I do not find a wise man among you.

“Men therefore fear Him;
He does not regard nor respect any who are wise in heart [in their own understanding and conceit].”

“Can a vigorous man be of use to God,
Or a wise man be useful to himself?