Remember that my life is but a breath, that my eyes will never again see happiness.

Will they not instruct you and speak to you, and bring forth words from their understanding?

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

If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression and be cheerful,’

Then would I speak and not fear him, but it is not so with me.

Remember that you have made me as with the clay; will you return me to dust?

“But these things you have concealed in your heart; I know that this is with you:

But an empty man will become wise, when a wild donkey’s colt is born a human being.

“Refrain from talking with me so that I may speak; then let come to me what may.

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

“But if I speak, my pain is not relieved, and if I refrain from speaking – how much of it goes away?

“How long until you make an end of words? You must consider, and then we can talk.

After I had spoken, they did not respond; my words fell on them drop by drop.

I said to myself, ‘Age should speak, and length of years should make wisdom known.’

I will speak, so that I may find relief; I will open my lips, so that I may answer.

to turn a person from his sin, and to cover a person’s pride.

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

You said, ‘Pay attention, and I will speak; I will question you, and you will answer me.’

Is it your opinion that God should recompense it, because you reject this? But you must choose, and not I, so tell us what you know.