1 T hen Job answered,

2 “ Be careful to listen to my words. Let this be the comfort you give me.

3 L isten to me while I speak. Then after I have spoken, you may keep on making fun of me.

4 A s for me, am I complaining against man? Why should my spirit not be troubled?

5 L ook at me, and be surprised; and put your hand over your mouth.

6 W hen I think, I am troubled; and fear takes hold of my body.

7 W hy do the sinful live, become old, and become very powerful?

8 T hey watch their children’s children become strong in front of their eyes.

9 T heir houses are safe from fear. And the punishment of God does not come upon them.

10 T heir bull mates without trouble. Their cow gives birth to live calves.

11 T hey send out their little ones like a flock, and their children jump around.

12 T hey sing to the timbrel and the harp. They show their joy at the sound of the horn.

13 T hey spend their days with much more than they need. And all at once they go down to the place of the dead.

14 T hey say to God, ‘Leave us alone! We do not want to know Your ways.

15 W ho is the All-powerful, that we should serve Him? What would we have more than we have if we prayed to Him?’

16 S ee, their well-being is not in their own hands. The wisdom of the sinful is far from me.

17 “ How many times is the lamp of the sinful put out, that their trouble comes upon them? How often does God send trouble to them in His anger?

18 A re they like straw blown by the wind? Are they like straw that the storm carries away?

19 Y ou say, ‘God stores up a man’s punishment for his sons.’ Let God punish him so that he may know it.

20 L et his own eyes see himself being destroyed. Let him drink the anger of the All-powerful.

21 F or what does he care for his house and family after he is dead, when the number of his months is over?

22 C an anyone teach God anything, when He judges those on high?

23 O ne man dies while still very strong, having everything he needs and time to enjoy it.

24 H is body has good food and his bones are strong.

25 A nother dies with bitter feelings in his soul, never having enjoyed anything good.

26 T ogether they lie down in the dust, and worms cover them.

27 “ See, I know your thoughts and your plans to wrong me.

28 F or you say, ‘Where is the house of the leader? Where are the tents where the sinful men live?’

29 H ave you not asked those who travel this way? Do you listen to what they say?

30 F or the sinful are kept for the day of trouble. They will be brought out on the day of anger.

31 W ho will talk to him about his way to his face? And who will punish him for what he has done?

32 W hen he is carried to the grave, men will keep watch over his grave.

33 T he earth of the valley will be sweet to him. All men will follow after him, and those who go before him are too many to number.

34 H ow then can you comfort me with foolish words? Your answers are full of lies.”