9
What do you know that we do not know? What do you understand that is not in us?
10
Both the gray-haired and the aged are among us, Much older than your father.
11
Are the consolations of God too small for you, And the word spoken gently with you?
12
Why does your heart carry you away, And what do your eyes wink at,
13
That you turn your spirit against God, And let such words go out of your mouth?
14
"What is man, that he could be pure? And he who is born of a woman, that he could be righteous?
15
If God puts no trust in His saints, And the heavens are not pure in His sight,
16
How much less man, who is abominable and filthy, Who drinks iniquity like water!
17
"I will tell you, hear me; What I have seen I will declare,
18
What wise men have told, Not hiding anything received from their fathers,
19
To whom alone the land was given, And no alien passed among them:
20
The wicked man writhes with pain all his days, And the number of years is hidden from the oppressor.
21
Dreadful sounds are in his ears; In prosperity the destroyer comes upon him.
22
He does not believe that he will return from darkness, For a sword is waiting for him.
23
He wanders about for bread, saying, 'Where is it?' He knows that a day of darkness is ready at his hand.
24
Trouble and anguish make him afraid; They overpower him, like a king ready for battle.
25
For he stretches out his hand against God, And acts defiantly against the Almighty,
26
Running stubbornly against Him With his strong, embossed shield.
27
"Though he has covered his face with his fatness, And made his waist heavy with fat,
28
He dwells in desolate cities, In houses which no one inhabits, Which are destined to become ruins.
29
He will not be rich, Nor will his wealth continue, Nor will his possessions overspread the earth.