23. For I have always feared God as waves swelling over me, and his weight I was not able to bear.
24. If I have thought gold my strength, and have said to fine gold: My confidence:
25. If I have rejoiced over my great riches, and because my hand had gotten much.
26. If I beheld the sun when it shined, and the moon going in brightness:
27. And my heart in secret hath rejoiced, and I have kissed my hand with my mouth:
28. Which is a very great iniquity, and a denial against the most high God.
29. If I have been glad at the downfall of him that hated me, and have rejoiced that evil had found him.
30. For I have not given my mouth to sin, by wishing a curse to his soul.
31. If the men of my tabernacle have not said: Who will give us of his flesh that we may be filled?
32. The stranger did not stay without, my door was open to the traveller.
33. If as a man I have hid my sin, and have concealed my iniquity in my bosom.
34. If I have been afraid at a very great multitude, and the contempt of kinsmen hath terrified me: and I have not rather held my peace, and not gone out of the door.
35. Who would grant me a hearer, that the Almighty may hear my desire; and that he himself that judgeth would write a book,
36. That I may carry it on my shoulder, and put it about me as a crown?
37. At every step of mine I would pronounce it, and offer it as to a prince.
38. If my land cry against me, and with it the furrows thereof mourn:
39. If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, and have afflicted the soul of the tillers thereof:
40. Let thistles grow up to me instead of wheat, and thorns instead of barley.