1Then Job answered and said: 2Listen carefully to my speech, and let this be your consolation. 3Bear with me that I may speak, and after I have spoken, mock on. 4As for me, is my complaint against man? And if it were, why should my spirit not be impatient? 5Look at me and be astonished; put your hand over your mouth. 6Even when I remember I am terrified, and trembling takes hold of my flesh. 7Why do the wicked live and become old, yea, and become mighty in power? 8Their seed is established in their presence, and their offspring before their eyes. 9Their houses are at peace, without dread; neither is the rod of God upon them. 10Their bull has bred without failure; their cow calves and does not miscarry. 11They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance. 12They sing to the tambourine and harp, and rejoice to the sound of the flute. 13They spend their days in prosperity, and in a moment go down to Sheol. 14Yet they say to the Mighty God, Depart from us, for we do not desire the knowledge of Your ways. 15Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit do we have if we entreat Him? 16Behold, their goodness is not in their hand! The counsel of the wicked is far from me. 17How often is the lamp of the wicked put out! How often does their calamity come upon them, the sorrows God distributes in His anger! 18They are like straw before the wind, and like chaff that a storm steals away. 19God treasures up one’s iniquity for his children. He recompenses him, that he may know it. 20His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty. 21For what is his delight in his house after him, when the number of his months has been cut off? 22Can anyone teach the Mighty God knowledge, since He judges those that are on high? 23One dies in his full strength, being wholly secure and at ease; 24his pails are full of milk, and the marrow of his bones is moist. 25Another man dies in the bitterness of his soul, never having eaten with pleasure. 26They lie down together in the dust, and worms cover them. 27Behold, I know your thoughts, and the plots with which you would do me wrong. 28For you say, Where is the house of the noble one? And where is the tent, the dwelling place of the wicked? 29Have you not asked those who pass along the road? And do you not know their trademarks? 30For the wicked are reserved for the day of calamity; they shall be brought out on the day of wrath. 31Who declares his way to his face? And who repays him for what he has done? 32Yet he shall be brought to the grave, and a vigil kept over the tomb. 33The clods of the valley shall be sweet to him; everyone shall drag along after him, as countless ones before him. 34How then do you comfort me with vanity, since treachery remains in your answers?