1 T hen Job answered,

2 H ear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolation.

3 A llow me, and I also will speak; and after I have spoken, mock on.

4 A s for me, is my complaint to man or of him? And why should I not be impatient and my spirit be troubled?

5 L ook at me and be astonished (appalled); and lay your hand upon your mouth.

6 E ven when I remember, I am troubled and afraid; horror and trembling take hold of my flesh.

7 W hy do the wicked live, become old, and become mighty in power?

8 T heir children are established with them in their sight, and their offspring before their eyes.

9 T heir houses are safe and in peace, without fear; neither is the rod of God upon them.

10 T heir bull breeds and fails not; their cows calve and do not miscarry.

11 T hey send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children skip about.

12 T hey themselves lift up their voices and sing to the tambourine and the lyre and rejoice to the sound of the pipe.

13 T hey spend their days in prosperity and go down to Sheol (the unseen state) in a moment and peacefully.

14 Y et they say to God, Depart from us, for we do not desire the knowledge of Your ways.

15 W ho is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit do we have if we pray to Him?

16 B ut notice, the prosperity of the wicked is not in their power; the mystery with the ungodly is far from my comprehension.

17 H ow often is it that the lamp of the wicked is put out? That their calamity comes upon them? That God distributes pains and sorrows to them in His anger?

18 T hat they are like stubble before the wind and like chaff that the storm steals and carries away?

19 Y ou say, God lays up iniquity for his children. Let Him recompense it to the man himself, that he may know and feel it.

20 L et his own eyes see his destruction, and let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty.

21 F or what pleasure or interest has a man in his house and family after he is dead, when the number of his months is cut off?

22 S hall any teach God knowledge, seeing that He judges those who are on high?

23 O ne dies in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet;

24 H is pails are full of milk, and the marrow of his bones is fresh and moist,

25 W hereas another man dies in bitterness of soul and never tastes of pleasure or good fortune.

26 T hey lie down alike in the dust, and the worm spreads a covering over them.

27 B ehold, I know your thoughts and plans and the devices with which you would wrong me.

28 F or you say, Where is the house of the rich and liberal prince ? And where is the tent in which the wicked dwelt?

29 H ave you not asked those who travel this way, and do you not accept their testimony and evidences—

30 T hat the evil man is spared in the day of calamity and destruction, and they are led forth and away on the day of wrath?

31 B ut who declares way him to his face? And who pays him back for what he has done?

32 W hen he is borne to the grave, watch is kept over his tomb.

33 T he clods of the valley are sweet to him, and every man shall follow him to a grave, as innumerable people before him.

34 H ow then can you comfort me with empty and futile words, since in your replies there lurks falsehood?