"The lioness may roar, and the lion cub may growl; but even the ivory teeth of the full grown lion are broken.

Full grown lions die when they cannot find prey; that's when the lion cubs are scattered.

They are defeated between morning and evening; they perish forever and no one notices!

His children are far from deliverance; they'll be maltreated before they leave home, with no one to rescue them.

Therefore there is hope for those who are poor, and iniquity shuts its mouth.

Filled with waters made cold by ice, they are where the snow goes to hide.

For all their expectations, they are doomed to disappointment; even though they have come and searched this far.

"And now you're all just like them, aren't you? You see my terror and are terrified.

"Men have harsh servitude on earth, do they not? His days are like those of a hired laborer, are they not?

I hate the thought of living forever! Leave me alone, because my days are pointless."

if you are clean and upright, surely then, he'll act on your behalf and restore your rightful place.

Because we are of yesterday and we know nothing, for our time on earth is only a shadow.

While they are still green and not yet ready to be harvested, they wither before any plant.

Such are the paths of everyone who forgets God the hope of the godless will be destroyed:

Surely God won't reject those who are blameless or hold hands with those who practice evil.

Indeed, if he snatches someone away, who could restrain him? Who can say to him, "What are you doing?'

"God doesn't restrain his anger. Rahab's assistants are humiliated under him.

I'll say to God, "Don't condemn me! Let me know why you are fighting me.

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

These things are higher than the heavens, so what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol, so what can you know?

They are longer than the earth's circumference, and broader than the ocean.

"Truly, you are the people and wisdom will die with you!

The carefree are thinking, "I have contempt for misfortune,' Those who are about to stumble deserve it.

The tents of robbers are at rest, and those who provoke God are secure, that is, those who carry their god in their pocket.

"With God are strength and sound wisdom; both the deceived and those who deceive are responsible to him.

"But as for you, you whitewash with lies; all of you are worthless quacks.

Your maxims are just worthless proverbs; your defensive arguments are made of clay."

Are you a god who would make a leaf tremble or who would prosecute a dry straw?

Human beings born by women are short-lived and full of trouble.

so also a person lies down and does not get up; they won't awaken until the heavens are no more, nor will they arise from their sleep."

"Mountains fall and crumble; rocks are dislodged from their places.

"If his children are honored, he doesn't know it; if they become insignificant, he never perceives it.

"We have both the gray-haired and the aged with us, and they are far older than your father.

Are God's encouragements inconsequential to you, even a word that has been spoken gently to you?

Look, if God doesn't trust his holy ones, if even the heavens aren't pure as he looks at them,

Terrifying sounds ring in his ears; when times are prosperous, the Destroyer will attack him.

He will live in devastated towns, in abandoned houses that are about to become heaps of rubble.

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

"My spirit is crushed, my days are over; it's the grave for me!

The upright are appalled over this, and the innocent person is troubled by the godless.

My days are passed; my plans have been shattered; along with my heart's desires.

"When are you going to stop your word hunt? Think first, and then we can talk.

His strong steps are restricted, and his own advice trips him up.

His roots wither underneath, while his branches above are being cut off.

People who live west of him are appalled at his fate; those who live east of him are seized with terror.

Indeed, the residences of the wicked are like this; and so are the homes of those who don't know God."

"My brothers are alienated from me; my acquaintances are estranged;

Why are you chasing me, as God has been doing? Aren't you satisfied that I'm sick?

Their houses are safe from fear, and God's chastisement never visits them.

His buckets are filled with milk, his bone marrow is healthy.

"Look! I know your thoughts, your plans are going to harm me.

You ask, "Where is the noble person's house?' and "Where are the tents where the wicked live?'

when he is carried away to the cemetery and guardians are placed to watch his tomb?

Will it please the Almighty if you are innocent, or does he profit if your life is blameless?

"Isn't God in heaven above? Consider how far away the stars are, and how lofty they are!

"Our enemies are sure to be destroyed, and fire will burn up what's left of their riches."

They are wet from mountain rains; without shelter, they cling to a rock.

"The fatherless are torn from the breast; the poor are taken away as security for a loan.

"Then there are those who rebel against the light; they are not acquainted with its ways; and they don't stay on its course.

They're exalted momentarily, but then they are gone; they are humbled, just like all the others. They are cut down like heads of corn.

Behold, even the moon isn't bright, and the stars aren't pure in his eyes.

How much less is man, who is only a maggot, or a man's children, who are only worms!"

"What a help you are to the weak! How powerfully you deliver those without strength!

The pillars of the heavens tremble and are astounded at his rebuke.

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?"

"Surely there are mines for silver and places where gold is refined.

where stones are sapphire and gold dust can be found,

"I used to say: "I will die in my home. I'm going to live as many days as there are grains of sand on the shore.

"But now they mock me; men who are far younger than I, whose fathers I would have hated to entrust with my own sheep dogs.

My clothes are disheveled by his forceful treatment of me; he restricts my movement like the collar of my cloak.

You changed toward me, and now you're cruel to me; with your mighty hand you are persecuting me;

But my harp is in mourning; my flute plays only songs for those who are weeping."

Barachel's son Elihu from Buz responded and said: "I'm younger than you are. Because you're older, I was terrified to tell you what I know.

"The aged aren't always wise, nor do the elderly always understand justice.

Look! As far as God is concerned, I'm just like you are I, too, have been pinched off from a piece of clay.

"You aren't right about this; My response is that God is greater than human beings.

Why are you arguing with him? He doesn't have to give explanations for what he does to you!

His flesh wastes away; his bones, which once couldn't be seen, are visible.

Who isn't partial to princes? Who doesn't give preference to the nobles over the poor? Nevertheless, all of them are his handiwork.

Thus he acknowledges their behavior, and overcomes them; when night time comes, they are crushed.

"Men of understanding, speak to me! Are any of you men wise? Then listen to me!

"Are you saying that it's just for you to claim, "I'm more righteous than God?'

"Observe the heavens! Take a look around! Look! The clouds are higher than you, aren't they?

If you are righteous, what will you add to him? What can God receive from your efforts?

"They cry out because they have many oppressors; they cry for help because the powerful are abusing them.

He won't stop looking at righteous people; he seats them on thrones with kings forever, and they are exalted.

He'll deliver the afflicted through their afflictions and open their ears when they are oppressed."

But now you are occupied with the case of the wicked; but justice and judgment will be served.

Who ordained his path for him, and who has asked him, "You are wrong, aren't you?'

His hands are covered with lightning that he commands to strike his designated target.

you whose garments are hot, even though the land is cooled by a south wind?

Tell us! What are we to say to him? Can we prepare our case to face him when our faces are in darkness?

Their young are strong; they grow up in the open field; then they go off and don't return to them."

He ranges the mountains that are his pasture to search for anything green.

"The wings of the ostrich flap joyously, but aren't its pinions and feathers like the stork?

stared down and subdued every proud person, trampled the wicked right where they are,

His bones are conduits of bronze; his strong bones are like bars of iron.

Are your eyes looking to capture him, or to pierce his snout with a bridle?"

His protective scales are his pride, they lie sealed tightly together.

"His snorting releases flashes of light; his eyes are like the rays of the dawn.