1And Job answered and said,

2"Listen carefully to my speech, and let this be your comfort.

3Allow me and I shall speak; and after I have spoken, mock on.

4As for me, is my complaint to man? And why should my spirit not be troubled?

5Look at me and be astonished, and lay your hand on your mouth.

6Even when I remember, I am afraid, and trembling takes hold on my flesh.

7Why do the wicked live? They grow old and yea, they become mighty in power.

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

9Their houses are in peace, without fear; nor is the rod of God upon them.

10Their bull mates and does not fail; their cow calves, and does not cast her calf.

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

12They sing to the drum and lyre, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe.

13They spend their days in prosperity, and peacefully they go down to the grave.

14And they say to God, 'Depart from us; for we do not desire the knowledge of Your ways;

15What is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit should we have if we pray to Him?'

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

17How often is the lamp of the wicked put out, and their trouble comes upon them! He distributes destruction in His anger;

18They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff carried away in a windstorm.

19It is said, 'God lays up one's iniquity for his children'--but let Him repay him that he may know it.

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

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

22Shall any teach God knowledge, since He shall judge those who are high?

23One dies in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.

24His pails are full of milk, his bones are moistened with marrow.

25And another dies in the bitterness of his soul, and never eats with pleasure.

26They lie down together in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.

27Behold, I know your thoughts, and the plots which you wrongfully imagine against me.

28For you say, 'Where is the house of the prince, and where are the dwelling places of the wicked?'

29Did you not ask those who travel the road? And do you not know their signs,

30That the evil man is preserved for the day of destruction? They shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.

31Who shall confront him to his face? And who shall repay him for what he has done?

32Yet he shall be brought to the grave, and watch shall be kept over his tomb.

33And the clods of the valley shall be sweet to him and every man shall draw after him, as there is no numbering of those who have gone before him.

34How then do you comfort me in vain; yea, your answers are full of falsehoods?"