a hidden path no bird of prey knows – no falcon’s eye has spotted it.

Mankind does not know its place; it cannot be found in the land of the living.

Fine gold cannot be given in exchange for it, nor can its price be weighed out in silver.

for I rescued the poor who cried out for help, and the orphan who had no one to assist him;

I cry out to you, but you do not answer me; I stand up, and you only look at me.

My heart is in turmoil unceasingly; the days of my affliction confront me.

If I ate my morsel of bread myself, and did not share any of it with orphans –

I have not even permitted my mouth to sin by asking for his life through a curse –

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

But no one says, ‘Where is God, my Creator, who gives songs in the night,

Then they cry out – but he does not answer – because of the arrogance of the wicked.

Indeed, God is mighty; and he does not despise people, he is mighty, and firm in his intent.

God thunders with his voice in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.

Their young grow strong, and grow up in the open; they go off, and do not return to them.

For God deprived her of wisdom, and did not impart understanding to her.

They lock tightly together, one to the next; they cling together and cannot be separated.

“I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted;

For I have obeyed the Lord’s commands; I have not rebelled against my God.

You widen my path; my feet do not slip.

I chase my enemies and catch them; I do not turn back until I wipe them out.