² Wait a little while so I can demonstrate for you
    that there is still something more to say about God.
³ I will draw from my broad knowledge,
    attribute justice to my maker.
⁴ My words are certainly truthful;
    one with total knowledge is present with you.

⁵ Look, God is mighty and doesn’t reject anyone;
    he is mighty in strength and mind.
⁶ He doesn’t let the wicked live,
    but grants justice to the poor.
⁷ He doesn’t avert his eyes from the righteous;
    he seats kings on thrones forever,
        and they are lifted up.
⁸ If they are tied with ropes,
        caught in cords of affliction,
⁹     he informs them about their offenses
        and their grave sins.
¹⁰ He opens their ears with discipline
    and commands them to turn from wrong.
¹¹ If they listen and serve,
    they spend their days in plenty,
    their years contentedly.
¹² But if they don’t listen,
    they perish by the sword,
    breathe their last without understanding.
¹³ Those with impious hearts become furious;
    they don’t cry out even though he binds them.
¹⁴ They die young;
    they are among the holy ones.
¹⁵ He saves the weak in their affliction,
    opens their ears through oppression.
¹⁶ Surely he draws you up from the brink of trouble
    to a wide place without distress;
    your table is set with rich food.
¹⁷ You are overly concerned about the case of the wicked;
    justice will be upheld in it.
¹⁸ Don’t let them lure you with wealth;
    don’t let a huge bribe mislead you.
¹⁹ Will he arrange your rescue from distress
    or from all your exertions of strength?
²⁰ Don’t wish for the night
    when people vanish from their place.
²¹ Take care; don’t turn to evil
    because you’ve chosen it over affliction.
²² Look, God is inaccessible due to his power;
    who is a teacher like him?
²³ Who has repaid him for his action,
    and who would ever say, “You’ve done wrong”?
²⁴ Remember to praise his work
    that all of us have seen.
²⁵ Every person has seen him;
    people can observe at great distance.

²⁶ Look, God is exalted and unknowable;
    the number of his years is beyond counting.
²⁷ He draws up drops of water
        that distill rain from his flood;
²⁸     the clouds pour moisture
        and drip continually on humans.
²⁹ Even if one perceives a spreading cloud
        and the thunder of his pavilion,
³⁰     look how he spreads lightning across it
        and covers the seabed;
³¹     for by water he judges peoples
        and gives food in abundance.
³² He conceals lightning in his palms
    and orders it to its target.
³³ His thunder announces it;
    even cattle proclaim its rising.