16. If now you have understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.
17. Shall even he that hates right govern? and will you condemn him that is most just?
18. Is it fit to say to a king, You are wicked? and to princes, You are ungodly?
19. How much less to him that regards not the persons of princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.
20. In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without a hand.
21. For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he sees all his steps.
22. There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23. For he will not lay upon man more than what is right; that he should enter into judgment with God.
24. He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their place.
25. Therefore he knows their works, and he overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
26. He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
27. Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways:
28. So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he hears the cry of the afflicted.
29. When he gives quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hides his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only: