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

Proud beasts have not set foot on it, and no lion has passed along 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.

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

If I smiled at them, they hardly believed it; and they did not cause the light of my face to darken.

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

Therefore no fear of me should terrify you, nor should my pressure be heavy on you.

that Job speaks without knowledge and his words are without understanding.

Surely it is an empty cry – God does not hear it; the Almighty does not take notice of it.

It laughs at fear and is not dismayed; it does not shy away from the sword.

I have spoken once, but I cannot answer; twice, but I will say no more.”

In all this Job did not sin, nor did he charge God with moral impropriety.

Or why was I not buried like a stillborn infant, like infants who have never seen the light?

For evil does not come up from the dust, nor does trouble spring up from the ground,

Then I would yet have my comfort, then I would rejoice, in spite of pitiless pain, for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.

Will you never look away from me, will you not let me alone long enough to swallow my spittle?

He leans against his house but it does not hold up, he takes hold of it but it does not stand.

“Surely, God does not reject a blameless man, nor does he grasp the hand of the evildoers.

If he passes by me, I cannot see him, if he goes by, I cannot perceive him.