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

then the Almighty himself will be your gold, and the choicest silver for you.

Can you send out lightning bolts, and they go? Will they say to you, ‘Here we are’?

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?

and reveal to you the secrets of wisdom – for true wisdom has two sides – so that you would know that God has forgiven some of your sins.

Will they not instruct you and speak to you, and bring forth words from their understanding?

“Do you have eyes of flesh, or do you see as a human being sees?

Or speak to the earth and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea declare to you.

Whatever you decide on a matter, it will be established for you, and light will shine on your ways.

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

Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Have you seen the gates of deepest darkness?

Do you have an arm as powerful as God’s, and can you thunder with a voice like his?

Then I myself will acknowledge to you that your own right hand can save you.

For you will have a pact with the stones of the field, and the wild animals will be at peace with you.

Look, we have investigated this, so it is true. Hear it, and apply it for your own good.”

Is it good for you to oppress, to despise the work of your hands, while you smile on the schemes of the wicked?

“But now, ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds of the sky and they will tell you.

and the Sabeans swooped down and carried them all away, and they killed the servants with the sword! And I – only I alone – escaped to tell you!”

While this one was still speaking, another messenger arrived and said, “The fire of God has fallen from heaven and has burned up the sheep and the servants – it has consumed them! And I – only I alone – escaped to tell you!”

While this one was still speaking another messenger arrived and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands and made a raid on the camels and carried them all away, and they killed the servants with the sword! And I – only I alone – escaped to tell you!”