9. For he says, “There is no profitin trying to please God.”
10. ‘So listen to me, you men of understanding.Far be it from God to do evil,from the Almighty to do wrong.
11. He repays everyone for what they have done;he brings on them what their conduct deserves.
12. It is unthinkable that God would do wrong,that the Almighty would pervert justice.
13. Who appointed him over the earth?Who put him in charge of the whole world?
14. If it were his intentionand he withdrew his spirit and breath,
15. all humanity would perish togetherand mankind would return to the dust.
16. ‘If you have understanding, hear this;listen to what I say.
17. Can someone who hates justice govern?Will you condemn the just and mighty One?
18. Is he not the One who says to kings, “You are worthless,”and to nobles, “You are wicked,”
19. who shows no partiality to princesand does not favour the rich over the poor,for they are all the work of his hands?
20. They die in an instant, in the middle of the night;the people are shaken and they pass away;the mighty are removed without human hand.
21. ‘His eyes are on the ways of mortals;he sees their every step.
22. There is no deep shadow, no utter darkness,where evildoers can hide.
23. God has no need to examine men further,that they should come before him for judgment.
24. Without enquiry he shatters the mightyand sets up others in their place.
25. Because he takes note of their deeds,he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
26. He punishes them for their wickednesswhere everyone can see them,
27. because they turned from following himand had no regard for any of his ways.
28. They caused the cry of the poor to come before him,so that he heard the cry of the needy.