¹⁰ “So listen to me,^(A) you men of understanding.^(B)
    Far be it from God to do evil,^(C)
    from the Almighty to do wrong.^(D)
11 He repays everyone for what they have done;^(E)
    he brings on them what their conduct deserves.^(F)
12 It is unthinkable that God would do wrong,^(G)
    that the Almighty would pervert justice.^(H)
13 Who appointed^(I) him over the earth?
    Who put him in charge of the whole world?^(J)
14 If it were his intention
    and he withdrew his spirit^[a](K) and breath,^(L)
15 all humanity would perish^(M) together
    and mankind would return to the dust.^(N)

¹⁶ “If you have understanding,^(O) hear this;
    listen to what I say.^(P)
17 Can someone who hates justice govern?^(Q)
    Will you condemn the just and mighty One?^(R)
18 Is he not the One who says to kings, ‘You are worthless,’
    and to nobles,^(S) ‘You are wicked,’^(T)
19 who shows no partiality^(U) to princes
    and does not favor the rich over the poor,^(V)
    for they are all the work of his hands?^(W)
20 They die in an instant, in the middle of the night;^(X)
    the people are shaken and they pass away;
    the mighty are removed without human hand.^(Y)