God

For once doth God speak, and twice, (He doth not behold it.)

Then He uncovereth the ear of men, And for their instruction sealeth:

To turn aside man from doing, And pride from man He concealeth.

Then He doth favour him and saith, `Ransom him from going down to the pit, I have found an atonement.'

He maketh supplication unto God, And He accepteth him. And he seeth His face with shouting, And He returneth to man His righteousness.

Lo, all these doth God work, Twice--thrice with man,

For Job hath said, `I have been righteous, And God hath turned aside my right,

For he hath said, `It doth not profit a man, When he delighteth himself with God.'

Therefore, O men of heart, hearken to me; Far be it from God to do wickedness, And from the Mighty to do perverseness:

For the work of man he repayeth to him, And according to the path of each He doth cause him to find.

Yea, truly, God doth not do wickedly, And the Mighty doth not pervert judgment.

Who hath inspected for Himself the earth? And who hath placed all the habitable world?

If He doth set on him His heart, His spirit and his breath unto Him He gathereth.

Yea, doth one hating justice govern? Or the Most Just dost thou condemn?

That hath not accepted the person of princes, Nor hath known the rich before the poor, For a work of His hands are all of them.

For His eyes are on the ways of each, And all his steps He doth see.

For He doth not suffer man any more, To go unto God in judgment,

Therefore He knoweth their works, And He hath overturned by night, And they are bruised.

Because that against right They have turned aside from after Him, And none of His ways have considered wisely,

To cause to come in unto Him The cry of the poor, And the cry of the afflicted He heareth.

And He giveth rest, and who maketh wrong? And hideth the face, and who beholdeth it? And in reference to a nation and to a man, It is the same.

For unto God hath any said: `I have taken away, I do not corruptly,

Besides that which I see, shew Thou me, If iniquity I have done--I do not add?'

By thee doth He recompense, That thou hast refused--That thou dost choose, and not I? And what thou hast known, speak.

For he doth add to his sin, Transgression among us he vomiteth, And multiplieth his sayings to God.