Do not long for the cover of night to drag people away from their homes.

But extend your hand and strike his bone and his flesh, and he will no doubt curse you to your face!”

You will laugh at destruction and famine and need not be afraid of the beasts of the earth.

Such is the destiny of all who forget God; the hope of the godless perishes,

before I depart, never to return, to the land of darkness and the deepest shadow,

But you even break off piety, and hinder meditation before God.

Are God’s consolations too trivial for you; or a word spoken in gentleness to you?

Let him not trust in what is worthless, deceiving himself; for worthlessness will be his reward.

“O earth, do not cover my blood, nor let there be a secret place for my cry.

Why do you pursue me like God does? Will you never be satiated with my flesh?

He will not look on the streams, the rivers, which are the torrents of honey and butter.

But you have said, ‘What does God know? Does he judge through such deep darkness?

“As surely as God lives, who has denied me justice, the Almighty, who has made my life bitter –

Does God listen to his cry when distress overtakes him?

For the calamity from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his majesty I was powerless.

So do not say, ‘We have found wisdom! God will refute him, not man!’

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

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

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

Indeed, God is exalted in his power; who is a teacher like him?