Although you were a powerful man, ¹  owning land, ²  an honored man ³  living on it, ⁴ 

I would give him an accounting of my steps; like a prince I would approach him.

Therefore I say, ‘Listen ¹  to me. I, even I, will explain what I know.’

So do not say, ¹  ‘We have found wisdom! God will refute ²  him, not man!’

Now in this, you are not right – I answer you, ¹  for God is greater than a human being. ² 

“For God speaks, the first time in one way, the second time in another, though a person does not perceive ¹  it.

And further, ¹  when you say that his anger does not punish, ²  and that he does not know transgression! ³ 

But now you are preoccupied with the judgment due the wicked, judgment and justice take hold of you.

Get ready for a difficult task ¹  like a man; I will question you and you will inform me!

“Do you hunt prey for the lioness, and satisfy the appetite ¹  of the lions,

Will you rely on it because its strength is great? Will you commit ¹  your labor to it?

Can you count on ¹  it to bring in ²  your grain, ³  and gather the grain ⁴  to your threshing floor? ⁵ 

Do you make it leap ¹  like a locust? Its proud neighing ²  is terrifying!

“Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars, ¹  and spreads its wings toward the south?

Look at every proud man and abase him; crush the wicked on the spot! ¹ 

Then I myself will acknowledge ¹  to you that your own right hand can save you. ² 

It looks on every haughty being; it is king over all that are proud.” ¹ 

They will lift you up in their hands, so you will not slip and fall on a stone. ¹ 

The one who works ¹  his field will have plenty ²  of food, but whoever chases daydreams ³  lacks wisdom. ⁴ 

The lazy person does not roast ¹  his prey, but personal possessions ²  are precious to the diligent.