1But Job answered and said,
2Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations.
3Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.
4As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled?
5Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand on your mouth.
6Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling takes hold on my flesh.
7Why do the wicked live, become old, yes, are mighty in power?
8Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
9Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God on them.
10Their bull engenders, and fails not; their cow calves, and casts not her calf.
11They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
12They take the tambourine and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.
13They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.
14Therefore they say to God, Depart from us; for we desire not 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?
16See, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
17How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft comes their destruction on them! God distributes sorrows in his anger.
18They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carries away.
19God lays up his iniquity for his children: he rewards him, and he shall know it.
20His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
21For what pleasure has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the middle?
22Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judges those that are high.
23One dies in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.
24His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.
25And another dies in the bitterness of his soul, and never eats with pleasure.
26They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.
27Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which you wrongfully imagine against me.
28For you say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked?
29Have you not asked them that go by the way? and do you not know their tokens,
30That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.
31Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he has done?
32Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.
33The clods of the valley shall be sweet to him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him.
34How then comfort you me in vain, seeing in your answers there remains falsehood?