1-2. Is there anyone, even the wisest,who could ever be of use to God?
3. Does your doing right benefit God,or does your being good help him at all?
4. It is not because you stand in awe of Godthat he reprimands you and brings you to trial.
5. No, it's because you have sinned so much;it's because of all the evil you do.
6. To make your brother repay you the money he owed,you took away his clothes and left him nothing to wear.
7. You refused water to those who were tired,and refused to feed those who were hungry.
8. You used your power and your positionto take over the whole land.
9. You not only refused to help widows,but you also robbed and ill-treated orphans.
10. So now there are pitfalls all round you,and suddenly you are full of fear.
11. It has grown so dark that you cannot see,and a flood overwhelms you.
12. Doesn't God live in the highest heavensand look down on the stars, even though they are high?
13. And yet you ask, “What does God know?He is hidden by clouds — how can he judge us?”