And Job answered and said,
2Listen carefully to my speech, and let this be your comfort.
3Rise with me and I shall speak; and after I have spoken, mock on.
4As for me, is my complaint to man? And why should my spirit not be troubled?
5Turn to me and be amazed, and lay your hand on your mouth.
6And if I remember, I am afraid, and trembling takes hold on my flesh.
7Why do the wicked live? They grow old and become mighty in power?
8Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
9Their houses are in peace, without fear; nor is the rod of God on them.
10Their bull mates and does not fail; their cow calves, and does not cast her calf.
11They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
12They lift up voice at the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the flute.
13They spend their days in good, and in a moment go down to the grave.
14And they say to God, Depart from us; for we do not desire the knowledge of your ways;
15what is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit should we have if we pray to Him?
16Behold, their good is not in their hand; the wisdom of the wicked is far from me.
17How often is the lamp of the wicked put out, and their trouble comes on them! He shares out pains in His anger;
18they are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm steals away.
19God lays up his iniquity for his children. He repays him, and he knows.
20His eyes shall see his ruin, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
21For what is his pleasure in his house after him, and the number of his months is cut off?
22Shall any teach God knowledge, since He shall judge the exalted?
23One dies in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.
24His sides are full of milk, his bones are wet with marrow.
25And another dies with bitter soul, and never eats with pleasure.
26They lie down together in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.
27Behold, I know your thoughts, and the plots which you wrongfully hatch against me.
28For you say, Where is the house of the noble, and where the dwelling-places of the wicked?
29Did you not ask those who go by the way? And do you not know their signs,
30that the wicked is kept for the day of calamity? They shall be brought to the day of wrath.
31Who shall declare his way to his face? And who shall repay him what he has done?
32Yet he shall be brought to the grave, and watch shall be kept over his tomb.
33And the clods of the valley shall be sweet to him and every man shall draw after him, as there is no numbering of those before him.
34How then do you comfort me in vain; yea, in your answers remains transgression?