19. God is not partial to princesand does not favor the rich over the poor,for they are all the work of His hands.
20. They die suddenly in the middle of the night;people shudder, then pass away.Even the mighty are removed without effort.
21. For His eyes watch over a man’s ways,and He observes all his steps.
22. There is no darkness, no deep darkness,where evildoers can hide themselves.
23. God does not need to examine a person further,that one should approach Him in court.
24. He shatters the mighty without an investigationand sets others in their place.
25. Therefore, He recognizes their deeds and overthrows them by night, and they are crushed.
26. In full view of the public, He strikes them for their wickedness,
27. because they turned aside from following Himand did not understand any of His ways
28. but caused the poor to cry out to Him,and He heard the outcry of the afflicted.
29. But when God is silent, who can declare Him guilty?When He hides His face, who can see Him?Yet He watches over both individuals and nations,
30. so that godless men should not ruleor ensnare the people.
31. Suppose someone says to God,“I have endured my punishment;I will no longer act wickedly.
32. Teach me what I cannot see;if I have done wrong, I won’t do it again.”
33. Should God repay you on your termswhen you have rejected His?You must choose, not I!So declare what you know.
34. Reasonable men will say to me,along with the wise men who hear me,
35. “Job speaks without knowledge; his words are without insight.”
36. If only Job were tested to the limit,because his answers are like those of wicked men.