14. If God were to take back his spiritand withdraw his breath,
15. all life would cease,and humanity would turn again to dust.
16. “Now listen to me if you are wise.Pay attention to what I say.
17. Could God govern if he hated justice?Are you going to condemn the almighty judge?
18. For he says to kings, ‘You are wicked,’and to nobles, ‘You are unjust.’
19. He doesn’t care how great a person may be,and he pays no more attention to the rich than to the poor.He made them all.
20. In a moment they die.In the middle of the night they pass away;the mighty are removed without human hand.
21. “For God watches how people live;he sees everything they do.
22. No darkness is thick enoughto hide the wicked from his eyes.
23. We don’t set the timewhen we will come before God in judgment.
24. He brings the mighty to ruin without asking anyone,and he sets up others in their place.