22. There is no darkness so densethat evildoers can hide in it.
23. For no one has God set a timeto come before him in judgment.
24. Without inquiry he shatters the mighty,and appoints others in their place,
25. Thus he discerns their works;overnight they are crushed.
26. Where the wicked are, he strikes them,in a place where all can see,
27. Because they turned away from himand did not understand his ways at all:
28. And made the cry of the poor reach him,so that he heard the cry of the afflicted.
29. If he is silent, who then can condemn?If he hides his face, who then can behold him,whether nation or individual?
30. Let an impious man not rule,nor those who ensnare their people.
31. Should anyone say to God,“I accept my punishment; I will offend no more;
32. What I cannot see, teach me:if I have done wrong, I will do so no more,”
33. Would you then say that God must punish,when you are disdainful?It is you who must choose, not I;speak, therefore, what you know.
34. Those who understand will say to me,all the wise who hear my views:
35. “Job speaks without knowledge,his words make no sense.
36. Let Job be tested to the limit,since his answers are those of the impious;
37. For he is adding rebellion to his sinby brushing off our argumentsand addressing many words to God.”