God

Thinkest thou this to be thy right, Or sayest thou, My righteousness is more than God’s,

If thou hast sinned, what effectest thou against him? And if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him?

If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? Or what receiveth he of thy hand?

But none saith, Where is God my Maker, Who giveth songs in the night,

Surely God will not hear an emptycry, Neither will the Almighty regard it.

How much less when thou sayest thou beholdest him not, The cause is before him, and thou waitest for him!

But now, because he hath not visited in his anger, Neither doth he greatly regard arrogance;

Suffer me a little, and I will show thee; For I have yet somewhat to say on God’s behalf.

For truly my words are not false: One that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.

Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: He is mighty in strength of understanding.

He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: But with kings upon the throne He setteth them for ever, and they are exalted.

Then he showeth them their work, And their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly.

If they hearken and serve him, They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures.

But they that are godless in heart lay up anger: They cry not for help when he bindeth them.

Yea, he would have allured thee out of distress Into a broad place, where there is no straitness; And that which is set on thy table would be full of fatness.

For let not wrath stir thee up against chastisements; Neither let the greatness of the ransom turn thee aside.

Will thy cry avail, that thou be not in distress, Or all the forces ofthystrength?

Behold, God doeth loftily in his power: Who is a teacher like unto him?

Who hath enjoined him his way? Or who can say, Thou hast wrought unrighteousness?

Remember that thou magnify his work, Whereof men have sung.

Behold, God is great, and we know him not; The number of his years is unsearchable.

For he draweth up the drops of water, Which distil in rain from his vapor,

Yea, can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, The thunderings of his pavilion?

Behold, he spreadeth his light around him; And he covereth the bottom of the sea.

For by these he judgeth the peoples; He giveth food in abundance.