When people are brought low and you say ‘Lift them up!’ then he will save the downcast;

But he knows the pathway that I take; if he tested me, I would come forth like gold.

Yet I have not been silent because of the darkness, because of the thick darkness that covered my face.

how much less a mortal man, who is but a maggot – a son of man, who is only a worm!”

for while my spirit is still in me, and the breath from God is in my nostrils,

Does God listen to his cry when distress overtakes him?

“Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined.

“As soon as the ear heard these things, it blessed me, and when the eye saw them, it bore witness to me,

for I rescued the poor who cried out for help, and the orphan who had no one to assist him;

Because God has untied my tent cord and afflicted me, people throw off all restraint in my presence.

I know that you are bringing me to death, to the meeting place for all the living.

For I would have committed a shameful act, an iniquity to be judged.

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

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

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

then this also would be iniquity to be judged, for I would have been false to God above.

If I have rejoiced over the misfortune of my enemy or exulted because calamity found him –

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

Why do you contend against him, that he does not answer all a person’s words?

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