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

"Why do the wicked live to reach old age and increase in power and wealth, too?

For I suffer all day long and I am punished every morning.

I have seen it all during my pointless life: both a righteous person who dies while he is righteous, and a wicked person who lives to an old age, while remaining wicked.

Everyone shares the same experience: a single event affects the righteous, the wicked, the good, the clean, the unclean, whoever sacrifices, and whoever does not sacrifice. As it is with the good person, so also it is with the sinner; as it is with someone who takes an oath, so also it is with someone who fears taking an oath.

You are righteous, LORD, even when I bring a complaint to you. But I want to discuss justice with you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper, while all who are treacherous are at ease?

"Yet you keep saying, "The LORD isn't being consistent with his standards.' Pay attention, you house of Israel: Is my behavior really inconsistent with my standards? Isn't it your behavior that isn't just?

"How long, LORD, must I cry out for help, but you won't listen? I'm crying out to you, "Violence!' but you aren't providing deliverance.

"These last fellows worked only one hour, but you paid them the same as us, and we've been working all day, enduring the scorching heat!'

What can we say, then? God is not unrighteous, is he? Of course not!