1 But Job answered and said,
2 Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations.
3 Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.
4 As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled?
5 Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand on your mouth.
6 Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling takes hold on my flesh.
7 Why do the wicked live, become old, yes, are mighty in power?
8 Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
9 Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God on them.
10 Their bull engenders, and fails not; their cow calves, and casts not her calf.
11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
12 They take the tambourine and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.
13 They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.
14 Therefore they say to God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of your ways.
15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray to him?
16 See, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
17 How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft comes their destruction on them! God distributes sorrows in his anger.
18 They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carries away.
19 God lays up his iniquity for his children: he rewards him, and he shall know it.
20 His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
21 For what pleasure has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the middle?
22 Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judges those that are high.
23 One dies in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.
24 His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.
25 And another dies in the bitterness of his soul, and never eats with pleasure.
26 They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.
27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which you wrongfully imagine against me.
28 For you say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked?
29 Have you not asked them that go by the way? and do you not know their tokens,
30 That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.
31 Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he has done?
32 Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.
33 The clods of the valley shall be sweet to him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him.
34 How then comfort you me in vain, seeing in your answers there remains falsehood?
1 Then Job answered and said:
2 Listen carefully to my speech, and let this be your consolation.
3 Bear with me that I may speak, and after I have spoken, mock on.
4 As for me, is my complaint against man? And if it were, why should my spirit not be impatient?
5 Look at me and be astonished; put your hand over your mouth.
6 Even when I remember I am terrified, and trembling takes hold of my flesh.
7 Why do the wicked live and become old, yea, and become mighty in power?
8 Their seed is established in their presence, and their offspring before their eyes.
9 Their houses are at peace, without dread; neither is the rod of God upon them.
10 Their bull has bred without failure; their cow calves and does not miscarry.
11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
12 They sing to the tambourine and harp, and rejoice to the sound of the flute.
13 They spend their days in prosperity, and in a moment go down to Sheol.
14 Yet they say to the Mighty God, Depart from us, for we do not desire the knowledge of Your ways.
15 Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit do we have if we entreat Him?
16 Behold, their goodness 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! How often does their calamity come upon them, the sorrows God distributes in His anger!
18 They are like straw before the wind, and like chaff that a storm steals away.
19 God treasures up ones iniquity for his children. He recompenses him, that he may know it.
20 His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
21 For what is his delight in his house after him, when the number of his months has been cut off?
22 Can anyone teach the Mighty God knowledge, since He judges those that are on high?
23 One dies in his full strength, being wholly secure and at ease;
24 his pails are full of milk, and the marrow of his bones is moist.
25 Another man dies in the bitterness of his soul, never having eaten with pleasure.
26 They lie down together in the dust, and worms cover them.
27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the plots with which you would do me wrong.
28 For you say, Where is the house of the noble one? And where is the tent, the dwelling place of the wicked?
29 Have you not asked those who pass along the road? And do you not know their trademarks?
30 For the wicked are reserved for the day of calamity; they shall be brought out on the day of wrath.
31 Who declares his way to his face? And who repays him for what he has done?
32 Yet he shall be brought to the grave, and a vigil kept over the tomb.
33 The clods of the valley shall be sweet to him; everyone shall drag along after him, as countless ones before him.
34 How then do you comfort me with vanity, since treachery remains in your answers?