¹⁸ Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly:

¹⁹ How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?

¹⁴ What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?

² Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself?

³ Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?

⁴ Will he reprove thee for fear of thee? will he enter with thee into judgment?

⁵ Is not thy wickedness great? and thine iniquities infinite?

⁴ How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?

⁵ Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in his sight.

⁶ How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm?

² Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God's?

³ For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin?

⁴ I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee.

⁵ Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou.

⁶ If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him?

⁷ If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand?

⁸ Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man.

⁴ Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.