1And Job answered and said,

2Hear attentively my speech, and let this replace your consolations.

3Suffer me and I will speak; and after I have spoken, mock on!

4As for me, is my complaint to a man? or wherefore should not my spirit be impatient?

5Mark me, and be astonished, and lay the hand upon the mouth.

6Even when I think [thereon], I am affrighted, and trembling taketh hold of my flesh.

7Wherefore do the wicked live, grow old, yea, become mighty in power?

8Their seed is established with them in their sight, and their offspring before their eyes.

9Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of ⁵³God upon them.

10Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.

11They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.

12They shout to the tambour and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe.

13They spend their days in prosperity, and in a moment go down to Sheol.

14And they say unto ⁵⁴God, Depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways!

15What is the Almighty that we should serve him? and what are we profited if we pray unto him?

16Behold, their prosperity is not in their hand. The counsel of the wicked be far from me!

17How often is the lamp of the wicked put out, and cometh their calamity upon them? Doth he distribute sorrows [to them] in his anger?

18Do they become as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away?

19⁵⁵God layeth up [the punishment of] his iniquity for his children; he rewardeth him, and he shall know [it]:

20His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the fury of the Almighty.

21For what pleasure should he have in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off?

22Can any teach ⁵⁶God knowledge? And he it is that judgeth those that are high.

23One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet;

24His sides are full of fat, and the marrow of his bones is moistened;

25And another dieth in bitterness of soul, and hath not tasted good:

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

27Lo, I know your thoughts, and the devices ye wrongfully imagine against me.

28For ye say, Where is the house of the noble? and where the tent of the dwellings of the wicked?

29Have ye not asked the wayfarers? and do ye not regard their tokens:

30That the wicked is reserved for the day of calamity? They are led forth to the day of wrath.

31Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?

32Yet is he carried to the graves, and watch is kept over the tomb.

33The clods of the valley are sweet unto him; and every man followeth suit after him, as there were innumerable before him.

34How then comfort ye me in vain? Your answers remain perfidious.