¹⁰ “Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding:
    far be it from God, that he should do wickedness,
    from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
¹¹ For the work of a man he will render to him,
    and cause every man to find according to his ways.
¹² Yes surely, God will not do wickedly,
    neither will the Almighty pervert justice.
¹³ Who put him in charge of the earth?
    Or who has appointed him over the whole world?
¹⁴ If he set his heart on himself,
    if he gathered to himself his spirit and his breath,
¹⁵ all flesh would perish together,
    and man would turn again to dust.

¹⁶ “If now you have understanding, hear this.
    Listen to the voice of my words.
¹⁷ Should even one who hates justice govern?
    Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty?—
¹⁸ Who says to a king, ‘Vile!’
    or to nobles, ‘Wicked!’?
¹⁹ He doesn’t respect the persons of princes,
    nor respect the rich more than the poor;
    for they all are the work of his hands.
²⁰ In a moment they die, even at midnight.
    The people are shaken and pass away.
    The mighty are taken away without a hand.