It can't be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.

Gold and glass can't equal it, neither shall it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.

For he looks to the ends of the earth, and sees under the whole sky.

To man he said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom. To depart from evil is understanding.'"

when I went forth to the city gate, when I prepared my seat in the street.

The voice of the nobles was hushed, and their tongue stuck to the roof of their mouth.

Because I delivered the poor who cried, and the fatherless also, who had none to help him,

the blessing of him who was ready to perish came on me, and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.

I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame.

I was a father to the needy. The cause of him who I did not know, I searched out.

Then I said, 'I shall die in my own house, I shall number my days as the sand.

My root is spread out to the waters. The dew lies all night on my branch.

"Men listened to me, waited, and kept silence for my counsel.

"But now those who are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to put with my sheep dogs.

Of what use is the strength of their hands to me, men in whom ripe age has perished?

"Now I have become their song. Yes, I am a byword to them.

They abhor me, they keep their distance from me, and do not hesitate to spit in my face.

I cry to you, and you do not answer me. I stand up, and you gaze at me.

You have turned to be cruel to me. With the might of your hand you persecute me.

You lift me up to the wind, and drive me with it. You dissolve me in the storm.

For I know that you will bring me to death, To the house appointed for all living.

"However doesn't one stretch out a hand in his fall? Or in his calamity therefore cry for help?

Did I not weep for him who was in trouble? Wasn't my soul grieved for the needy?

My heart is troubled, and doesn't rest. Days of affliction have come on me.

I am a brother to jackals, and a companion to ostriches.

Therefore my harp has turned to mourning, and my pipe into the voice of those who weep.

Doesn't he see my ways, and number all my steps?

"If I have walked with falsehood, and my foot has hurried to deceit

if my step has turned out of the way, if my heart walked after my eyes, if any defilement has stuck to my hands,

"If my heart has been enticed to a woman, and I have lain in wait at my neighbor's door,

For that would be a heinous crime. Yes, it would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges:

For it is a fire that consumes to destruction, and would root out all my increase.

What then shall I do when God rises up? When he visits, what shall I answer him?

"If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,

if his heart hasn't blessed me, if he hasn't been warmed with my sheep's fleece;

For calamity from God is a terror to me. Because his majesty, I can do nothing.

"If I have made gold my hope, and have said to the fine gold, 'You are my confidence;'

this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges; for I should have denied the God who is above.

(yes, I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking his life with a curse);

(the foreigner has not lodged in the street, but I have opened my doors to the traveler);

oh that I had one to hear me. (behold, here is my signature, let Shaddai answer me); let the accuser write my indictment.

Surely I would carry it on my shoulder; and I would bind it to me as a crown.

I would declare to him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near to him.

if I have eaten its fruits without money, or have caused its owners to lose their life,

So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were elder than he.

Therefore I said, 'Listen to me; I also will show my opinion.'

"Behold, I waited for your words, and I listened for your reasoning, while you searched out what to say.

"They are amazed. They answer no more. They do not have a word to say.

Shall I wait, because they do not speak, because they stand still, and answer no more?

Behold, my breast is as wine which has no vent; like new wineskins it is ready to burst.

Please do not let me respect any man's person, neither will I give flattering titles to any man.

For I do not know how to give flattering titles; or else my Maker would soon take me away.

"However, Job, Please hear my speech, and listen to all my words.

Why do you strive against him, because he doesn't give account of any of his matters?

His flesh is so consumed away, that it can't be seen. His bones that were not seen stick out.

Yes, his soul draws near to the pit, and his life to the destroyers.

"If there is beside him an angel, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man what is right for him;

then God is gracious to him, and says, 'Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom.'

His flesh shall be fresher than a child's. He returns to the days of his youth.

He prays to God, and he is favorable to him, so that he sees his face with joy. He restores to man his righteousness.

to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of the living.

Mark well, Job, and listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will speak.

If you have anything to say, answer me. Speak, for I desire to justify you.

If not, listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom."

"Hear my words, you wise men. Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.

"Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, from Shaddai, that he should commit iniquity.

For the work of a man he will render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.

Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, neither will Shaddai pervert justice.

If he set his heart on himself, If he gathered to himself his spirit and his breath,

all flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust.

"If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words.

Who says to a king, 'Vile.' or to nobles, 'Wicked.'?

Who doesn't respect the persons of princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor; for they all are the work of his hands.

In a moment they die, even at midnight. The people are shaken and pass away. The mighty are taken away without a hand.

For he doesn't need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment.

because they turned aside from following him, and wouldn't pay attention to any of his ways,

so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him. He heard the cry of the afflicted.

When he gives quietness, who then can condemn? When he hides his face, who then can see him? Alike whether to a nation, or to a man,

that the godless man may not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people.

"For has any said to God, 'I am guilty, but I will not offend any more.

Teach me that which I do not see. If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'?

I wish that Job were tried to the end, because of his answering like wicked men.

For he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God."

"Do you think this to be your right, or do you say, 'My righteousness is more than God's,'

That you ask, 'What advantage will it be to you? What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?'

Look to the heavens, and see. See the skies, which are higher than you.

If you have sinned, what effect do you have against him? If your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him?

If you are righteous, what do you give him? Or what does he receive from your hand?

How much less when you say you do not see him. The cause is before him, and you wait for him.

"Bear with me a little, and I will show you; for I still have something to say on God's behalf.

I will get my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.

"Behold, God is mighty, and doesn't despise anyone. He is mighty in strength of understanding.

He doesn't preserve the life of the wicked, but gives to the afflicted their right.

He doesn't withdraw his eyes from the righteous, but with kings on the throne, he sets them forever, and they are exalted.

He also opens their ears to instruction, and commands that they return from iniquity.

But if they do not listen, they shall perish by the sword; they shall die without knowledge.

"But those who are godless in heart lay up anger. They do not cry for help when he binds them.

They die in youth. Their life perishes among the unclean.

Do not let riches entice you to wrath, neither let the great size of a bribe turn you aside.