“Why are times not appointed by the Almighty? Why do those who know him not see his days?

For all of them, the morning is to them like deep darkness; they are friends with the terrors of darkness.

“If this is not so, who can prove me a liar and reduce my words to nothing?”

How then can a human being be righteous before God? How can one born of a woman be pure?

Those who survive him are buried by the plague, and their widows do not mourn for them.

Neither gold nor crystal can be compared with it, nor can a vase of gold match its worth.

On my right the young rabble rise up; they drive me from place to place, and build up siege ramps against me.

Terrors are turned loose on me; they drive away my honor like the wind, and like a cloud my deliverance has passed away.

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

so that my heart was secretly enticed, and my hand threw them a kiss from my mouth,

I have not even permitted my mouth to sin by asking for his life through a curse –

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

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

then his flesh is restored like a youth’s; he returns to the days of his youthful vigor.

But if they refuse to listen, they pass over the river of death, and expire without knowledge.

Take heed, do not turn to evil, for because of this you have been tested by affliction.

Tell us what we should say to him. We cannot prepare a case because of the darkness.

Who prepares prey for the raven, when its young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food?

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

Look at every proud man and abase him; crush the wicked on the spot!