[001] But Job answered and said,
[002] Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations.
[003] Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.
[004] As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled?
[005] Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.
[006] Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.
[007] Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?
[008] Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
[009] Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.
[010] Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
[011] They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
[012] They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.
[013] They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.
[014] Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
[015] What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
[016] Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
[017] How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.
[018] They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.
[019] God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it.
[020] His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
[021] For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?
[022] Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high.
[023] One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.
[024] His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.
[025] And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.
[026] They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.
[027] Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.
[028] For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked?
[029] Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens,
[030] That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.
[031] Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?
[032] Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.
[033] The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him.
[034] How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?