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 upon your mouth . 6Even when I remember I am afraid , and trembling taketh hold on my flesh . 7Wherefore do the wicked live , become old , yea, 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 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 take the timbrel 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 unto God , Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways . 15What is the Almighty , that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? 16Lo, their good is not in their hand : the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
The Fate of the Wicked
17How oft is the candle of the wicked put out ! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger . 18They are as stubble before the wind , and as chaff that the storm carrieth away . 19God layeth up 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 wrath of the Almighty . 21For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst ? 22Shall any teach God knowledge ? seeing he judgeth those that are high . 23One dieth 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 dieth in the bitterness of his soul , and never eateth with pleasure . 26They shall lie down alike in the dust , and the worms shall cover them.
Job's Challenge to His Friends
27Behold, I know your thoughts , and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me. 28For ye say , Where is the house of the prince ? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked ? 29Have ye not asked them that go by the way ? and do ye 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 hath done ? 32Yet shall he be brought to the grave , and shall remain in the tomb . 33The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him. 34How then comfort ye me in vain , seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood ?