For it is a fire that devours even to Destruction, and it would uproot all my harvest.

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

but from my youth I raised the orphan like a father, and from my mother’s womb I guided the widow!

then let my arm fall from the shoulder, let my arm be broken off at the socket.

“If I have put my confidence in gold or said to pure gold, ‘You are my security!’

if I looked at the sun when it was shining, and the moon advancing as a precious thing,

Inside I am like wine which has no outlet, like new wineskins ready to burst!

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

for I do not know how to give honorary titles, if I did, my Creator would quickly do away with me.

“For God speaks, the first time in one way, the second time in another, though a person does not perceive it.

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

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

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

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

“Be patient with me a little longer and I will instruct you, for I still have words to speak on God’s behalf.

For in truth, my words are not false; it is one complete in knowledge who is with you.

He does not take his eyes off the righteous; but with kings on the throne he seats the righteous and exalts them forever.

then he reveals to them what they have done, and their transgressions, that they were behaving proudly.

Whether it is for punishment for his land, or whether it is for mercy, he causes it to find its mark.

Should he be informed that I want to speak? If a man speaks, surely he would be swallowed up!