Page:JPS-1917-Universal.djvu/978

34.4 :Let us choose for us that which is right;
 * Let us know among ourselves what is good.
 * For Job hath said: 'I am righteous,
 * And God hath taken away my right;
 * Notwithstanding my right I am accounted a liar;
 * My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.'
 * What man is like Job,
 * Who drinketh up scorning like water?
 * Who goeth in company with the workers of iniquity,
 * And walketh with wicked men.
 * For he hath said: 'It profiteth a man nothing
 * That he should be in accord with God.'


 * Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding:
 * Far be it from God, that He should do wickedness;
 * And from the Almighty, that He should commit iniquity.
 * For the work of a man will He requite unto him,
 * And cause every man to find according to his ways.
 * Yea, of a surety, God will not do wickedly,
 * Neither will the Almighty pervert justice.
 * Who gave Him a charge over the earth?
 * Or who hath disposed the whole world?
 * If He set His heart upon man,
 * If He gather unto Himself his spirit and his breath;
 * All flesh shall perish together,
 * And man shall return unto dust.


 * If now thou hast understanding, hear this;
 * Hearken to the voice of my words.
 * Shall even one that hateth right govern?
 * And wilt thou condemn Him that is just and mighty—
 * Is it fit to say to a king: 'Thou art base'?
 * Or to nobles: 'Ye are wicked'?—
 * That respecteth not the persons of princes,
 * Nor regardeth the rich more than the poor?
 * For they all are the work of His hands.
 * In a moment they die, even at midnight;
 * The people are shaken and pass away,
 * And the mighty are taken away without hand.


 * For His eyes are upon the ways of a man,
 * And He seeth all his goings.
 * There is no darkness, nor shadow of death,
 * Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
 * For He doth not appoint a time unto any man,
 * When he should go before God in judgment.
 * He breaketh in pieces mighty men without inquisition,
 * And setteth others in their stead.
 * Therefore He taketh knowledge of their works;
 * And He overturneth them in the night, so that they are crushed.
 * He striketh them as wicked men
 * In the open sight of others;
 * Because they turned aside from following Him,
 * And would not have regard to any of His ways;
 * So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto Him,