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?’

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?

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

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

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

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

Why do I put myself in peril, and take my life in my hands?

What do you know that we don’t know? What do you understand that we don’t understand?

What is man that he should be pure, or one born of woman, that he should be righteous?

Will there be an end to your windy words? Or what provokes you that you answer?

For what is his interest in his home after his death, when the number of his months has been broken off?

But you have said, ‘What does God know? Does he judge through such deep darkness?

I would know with what words he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.

“How you have helped the powerless! How you have saved the person who has no strength!

How you have advised the one without wisdom, and abundantly revealed your insight!

Let us evaluate for ourselves what is right; let us come to know among ourselves what is good.

Tell us what we should say to him. We cannot prepare a case because of the darkness.

“Indeed, I am completely unworthy – how could I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth to silence myself.