14. What is man, that he could be pure and clean? And he who is born of a woman, that he could be right and just?
15. Behold, [God] puts no trust in His holy ones [the angels]; indeed, the heavens are not clean in His sight–
16. How much less that which is abominable and corrupt, a man who drinks iniquity like water?
17. I will show you, hear me; and that which I have seen I will relate,
18. What wise men have not hid but have freely communicated; it was told to them by their fathers,
19. Unto whom alone the land was given, and no stranger intruded or passed among them [corrupting the truth].
20. The wicked man suffers with [self-inflicted] torment all his days, through all the years that are numbered and laid up for him, the oppressor.
21. A [dreadful] sound of terrors is in his ears; in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him [the dwellings of robbers are not at peace].
22. He believes that he will not return out of darkness, and [because of his guilt] he is waited for by the sword [of God's vengeance].