My harp is used for mourning and my flute for the sound of weeping.

Moreover, the strength of their hands – what use was it to me? Men whose strength had perished;

he will perish forever, like his own excrement; those who used to see him will say, ‘Where is he?’

Now his sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one in turn, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.

If indeed you would exalt yourselves above me and plead my disgrace against me,

“Is it to God that a strong man is of benefit? Is it to him that even a wise man is profitable?

He has neither children nor descendants among his people, no survivor in those places he once stayed.

I will not show partiality to anyone, nor will I confer a title on any man.

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

They die in their youth, and their life ends among the male cultic prostitutes.

“Have I ever said, ‘Give me something, and from your fortune make gifts in my favor’?

“How much less, then, can I answer him and choose my words to argue with him!

Would he contend with me with great power? No, he would only pay attention to me.

then he looked at wisdom and assessed its value; he established it and examined it closely.

then let my wife turn the millstone for another man, and may other men have sexual relations with her.

Job has not directed his words to me, and so I will not reply to him with your arguments.

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

Is it of any special benefit to the Almighty that you should be righteous, or is it any gain to him that you make your ways blameless?