¹⁸ If God places no trust in his servants,^(A)
    if he charges his angels with error,^(B)

¹⁹ how much more those who live in houses of clay,^(A)
    whose foundations^(B) are in the dust,^(C)
    who are crushed^(D) more readily than a moth!^(E)

¹⁴ “What are mortals, that they could be pure,
    or those born of woman,^(A) that they could be righteous?^(B)

² “Can a man be of benefit to God?^(A)
    Can even a wise person benefit him?^(B)
3 What pleasure^(C) would it give the Almighty if you were righteous?^(D)
    What would he gain if your ways were blameless?^(E)

⁴ “Is it for your piety that he rebukes you
    and brings charges against you?^(F)
5 Is not your wickedness great?
    Are not your sins^(G) endless?^(H)

⁴ How then can a mortal be righteous before God?
    How can one born of woman be pure?^(A)
5 If even the moon^(B) is not bright
    and the stars are not pure in his eyes,^(C)
6 how much less a mortal, who is but a maggot—
    a human being,^(D) who is only a worm!”^(E)

² “Do you think this is just?
    You say, ‘I am in the right,^(A) not God.’^(B)
3 Yet you ask him, ‘What profit is it to me,^[a]
    and what do I gain by not sinning?’^(C)

⁴ “I would like to reply to you
    and to your friends with you.
⁵ Look up at the heavens^(D) and see;
    gaze at the clouds so high above you.^(E)
6 If you sin, how does that affect him?
    If your sins are many, what does that do to him?^(F)
7 If you are righteous, what do you give to him,^(G)
    or what does he receive^(H) from your hand?^(I)
8 Your wickedness only affects humans like yourself,^(J)
    and your righteousness only other people.^(K)

⁴ “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?^(A)
    Tell me, if you understand.^(B)