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1 But Job answered and said,
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2 Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations.
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3 Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.
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4 As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled?
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5 Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.
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6 Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.
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7 Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?
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8 Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
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9 Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.
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10 Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
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11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
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12 They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.
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13 They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.
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14 Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
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15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
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16 Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
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17 How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.
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18 They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.
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19 God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it.
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20 His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
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21 For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?
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22 Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high.
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23 One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.
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24 His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.
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25 And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.
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26 They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.
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27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.
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28 For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked?
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29 Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens,
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30 That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.
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31 Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?
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32 Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.
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33 The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him.
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34 How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?
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- 1 Then Job answered,
- 2 “Listen carefully to my speech, And let this be your way of consolation.
- 3 “Bear with me that I may speak; Then after I have spoken, you may mock.
- 4 “As for me, is my complaint to man? And why should I not be impatient?
- 5 “Look at me, and be astonished, And put your hand over your mouth.
- 6 “Even when I remember, I am disturbed, And horror takes hold of my flesh.
- 7 “Why do the wicked still live, Continue on, also become very powerful?
- 8 “Their descendants are established with them in their sight, And their offspring before their eyes,
- 9 Their houses are safe from fear, And the rod of God is not on them.
- 10 “His ox mates without fail; His cow calves and does not abort.
- 11 “They send forth their little ones like the flock, And their children skip about.
- 12 “They sing to the timbrel and harp And rejoice at the sound of the flute.
- 13 “They spend their days in prosperity, And suddenly they go down to Sheol.
- 14 “They say to God, 'Depart from us! We do not even desire the knowledge of Your ways.
- 15 'Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, And what would we gain if we entreat Him?'
- 16 “Behold, their prosperity is not in their hand; The counsel of the wicked is far from me.
- 17 “How often is the lamp of the wicked put out, Or does their calamity fall on them? Does God apportion destruction in His anger?
- 18 “Are they as straw before the wind, And like chaff which the storm carries away?
- 19 “You say, 'God stores away a man's iniquity for his sons.' Let God repay him so that he may know it.
- 20 “Let his own eyes see his decay, And let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
- 21 “For what does he care for his household after him, When the number of his months is cut off?
- 22 “Can anyone teach God knowledge, In that He judges those on high?
- 23 “One dies in his full strength, Being wholly at ease and satisfied;
- 24 His sides are filled out with fat, And the marrow of his bones is moist,
- 25 While another dies with a bitter soul, Never even tasting anything good.
- 26 “Together they lie down in the dust, And worms cover them.
- 27 “Behold, I know your thoughts, And the plans by which you would wrong me.
- 28 “For you say, 'Where is the house of the nobleman, And where is the tent, the dwelling places of the wicked?'
- 29 “Have you not asked wayfaring men, And do you not recognize their witness?
- 30 “For the wicked is reserved for the day of calamity; They will be led forth at the day of fury.
- 31 “Who will confront him with his actions, And who will repay him for what he has done?
- 32 “While he is carried to the grave, Men will keep watch over his tomb.
- 33 “The clods of the valley will gently cover him; Moreover, all men will follow after him, While countless ones go before him.
- 34 “How then will you vainly comfort me, For your answers remain full of falsehood?”
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