5“Surely God is mighty and does not despise any;
    he is mighty in strength of understanding.
6He does not keep the wicked alive,
    but gives the afflicted their right.
7He does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous,
    but with kings on the throne
    he sets them forever, and they are exalted.
8And if they are bound in fetters
    and caught in the cords of affliction,
9then he declares to them their work
    and their transgressions, that they are behaving arrogantly.
10He opens their ears to instruction,
    and commands that they return from iniquity.
11If they listen, and serve him,
    they complete their days in prosperity,
    and their years in pleasantness.
12But if they do not listen, they shall perish by the sword,
    and die without knowledge.

13“The godless in heart cherish anger;
    they do not cry for help when he binds them.
14They die in their youth,
    and their life ends in shame.[a]
15He delivers the afflicted by their affliction,
    and opens their ear by adversity.
16He also allured you out of distress
    into a broad place where there was no constraint,
    and what was set on your table was full of fatness.

17“But you are obsessed with the case of the wicked;
    judgment and justice seize you.
18Beware that wrath does not entice you into scoffing,
    and do not let the greatness of the ransom turn you aside.
19Will your cry avail to keep you from distress,
    or will all the force of your strength?
20Do not long for the night,
    when peoples are cut off in their place.
21Beware! Do not turn to iniquity;
    because of that you have been tried by affliction.
22See, God is exalted in his power;
    who is a teacher like him?
23Who has prescribed for him his way,
    or who can say, ‘You have done wrong’?