5. For Job also said, ‘I am innocent,but God has taken away my rights.
6. I am innocent, but they call me a liar.My suffering is incurable, though I have not sinned.’
7. “Tell me, has there ever been a man like Job,with his thirst for irreverent talk?
8. He chooses evil people as companions.He spends his time with wicked men.
9. He has even said, ‘Why waste timetrying to please God?’
10. “Listen to me, you who have understanding.Everyone knows that God doesn’t sin!The Almighty can do no wrong.
11. He repays people according to their deeds.He treats people as they deserve.
12. Truly, God will not do wrong.The Almighty will not twist justice.
13. Did someone else put the world in his care?Who set the whole world in place?
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.