"For inquire, please, of the former age, And consider the things discovered by their fathers;

Will they not teach you and tell you, And utter words from their heart?

"No doubt you [are] the people, And wisdom will die with you!

What do you know that we do not know? [What] do you understand that [is] not in us?

Both the gray-haired and the aged [are] among us, Much older than your father.

" I will tell you, hear me; What I have seen I will declare,

Indeed I waited for your words, I listened to your reasonings, while you searched out what to say.

I paid close attention to you; And surely not one of you convinced Job, [Or] answered his words --

The works of the LORD [are] great, Studied by all who have pleasure in them.

Yes, if you cry out for discernment, [And] lift up your voice for understanding,

Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God.

"Can a man be profitable to God, Though he who is wise may be profitable to himself?

"[and] to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good?

If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And [if] you scoff, you will bear [it] alone."