Why has your heart carried you away, and why do your eyes flash,

How painful are honest words! But what does your reproof prove?

It is higher than the heavens – what can you do? It is deeper than Sheol – what can you know?

But you say, ‘What will it profit you,’ and, ‘What do I gain by not sinning?’

What is my strength, that I should wait? and what is my end, that I should prolong my life?

Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain if we were to pray to him?’

How then can a human being be righteous before God? How can one born of a woman be pure?

then what will I do when God confronts me in judgment; when he intervenes, how will I respond to him?

If you sin, how does it affect God? If your transgressions are many, what does it do to him?

If you are righteous, what do you give to God, or what does he receive from your hand?

If I am guilty, why then weary myself in vain?

Why do you hide your face and regard me as your enemy?

If I have sinned – what have I done to you, O watcher of men? Why have you set me as your target? Have I become a burden to you?

“Why did I not die at birth, and why did I not expire as I came out of the womb?

Why did the knees welcome me, and why were there two breasts that I might nurse at them?

“Why does God give light to one who is in misery, and life to those whose soul is bitter,

“Teach me and I, for my part, will be silent; explain to me how I have been mistaken.

“What is mankind that you make so much of them, and that you pay attention to them?

“Why then did you bring me out from the womb? I should have died and no eye would have seen me!

“Refrain from talking with me so that I may speak; then let come to me what may.