The topaz of Cush cannot be compared with it; it cannot be purchased with pure gold.

to cause it to rain on an uninhabited land, a desert where there are no human beings,

Indeed, let that night be barren; let no shout of joy penetrate it!

There the wicked cease from turmoil, and there the weary are at rest.

Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?

Will you show him partiality? Will you argue the case for God?

Only his flesh has pain for himself, and he mourns for himself.”

His anger has torn me and persecuted me; he has gnashed at me with his teeth; my adversary locks his eyes on me.

“You say, ‘He is foam on the face of the waters; their portion of the land is cursed so that no one goes to their vineyard.

They are destroyed between morning and evening; they perish forever without anyone regarding it.

While they are still beginning to flower and not ripe for cutting, they can wither away faster than any grass!

Although I am innocent, my mouth would condemn me; although I am blameless, it would declare me perverse.

If he tears down, it cannot be rebuilt; if he imprisons a person, there is no escape.

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

Will it go down to the barred gates of death? Will we descend together into the dust?”

know then that God has wronged me and encircled me with his net.

For he says, ‘It does not profit a man when he makes his delight with God.’

Who entrusted to him the earth? And who put him over the whole world?

Would you indeed annul my justice? Would you declare me guilty so that you might be right?

So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite spoke up: “I am young, but you are elderly; that is why I was fearful, and afraid to explain to you what I know.