For what hope does the godless have when he is cut off, when God takes away his life?

If his children increase – it is for the sword! His offspring never have enough to eat.

The earth, from which food comes, is overturned below as though by fire;

Of coral and jasper no mention will be made; the price of wisdom is more than pearls.

For it has been hidden from the eyes of every living creature, and from the birds of the sky it has been concealed.

the young men would see me and step aside, and the old men would get up and remain standing;

the voices of the nobles fell silent, and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths.

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

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

They waited for me as people wait for the rain, and they opened their mouths as for the spring rains.

Moreover, the strength of their hands – what use was it to me? Men whose strength had perished;

By the brush they would gather herbs from the salt marshes, and the root of the broom tree was their food.

“And now my soul pours itself out within me; days of suffering take hold of me.

With great power God grasps my clothing; he binds me like the collar of my tunic.

then let me sow and let another eat, and let my crops be uprooted.

“If I have disregarded the right of my male servants or my female servants when they disputed with me,

If I have refused to give the poor what they desired, or caused the eyes of the widow to fail,

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

if the members of my household have never said, ‘If only there were someone who has not been satisfied from Job’s meat!’ –

Surely I would wear it proudly on my shoulder, I would bind it on me like a crown;