² “Can a mortal be of use to God?
    Can even the wisest be of service to him?^(A)
3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty^[a] if you are righteous,
    or is it gain to him if you make your ways blameless?
⁴ Is it for your piety that he reproves you
    and enters into judgment with you?^(B)
5 Is not your wickedness great?
    There is no end to your iniquities.^(C)
6 For you have exacted pledges from your family for no reason
    and stripped the naked of their clothing.^(D)
7 You have given no water to the weary to drink,
    and you have withheld bread from the hungry.^(E)
8 The powerful possess the land,
    and the favored live in it.
⁹ You have sent widows away empty-handed,
    and the arms of the orphans you have crushed.^[b](F)