18 If you were judge now between these two, whom would you justify, or whom condemn?
19 I answered and said, it is a foolish counsel that they both have taken, for the ground is given to the wood, and the place of the sea is given to bear his waves.
20 Then answered he me, and said, You have given a right judgement, and why judge you not in your own case?
21 For like as the ground is given to the wood, and the sea to his waves, even so they that dwell upon the earth may understand nothing but that which is upon the earth: and he only that dwells above the heavens may understand the things that are above the height of the heavens.
22 Then answered I and said, I beseech you, O Lord, wherefore is the power of understanding given to me?
23 For it was not in my mind to be curious of the ways above, but of such things as pass by us daily; because Israel is given up as a reproach to the heathen, and the people whom you have loved is given over to ungodly nations, and the law of our forefathers is made of none effect, and the written covenants are nowhere regarded,
24 and we pass away out of the world as grasshoppers, and our life is as a vapor, neither are we worthy to obtain mercy.