- 1. Then Job made answer and said,
- 2. Give attention with care to my words; and let this be your comfort.
- 3. Let me say what is in my mind, and after that, go on making sport of me.
- 4. As for me, is my outcry against man? is it then to be wondered at if my spirit is troubled?
- 5. Take note of me and be full of wonder, put your hand on your mouth.
- 6. At the very thought of it my flesh is shaking with fear.
- 7. Why is life given to the evil-doers? why do they become old and strong in power?
- 8. Their children are ever with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
- 9. Their houses are free from fear, and the rod of God does not come on them.
- 10. Their ox is ready at all times to give seed; their cow gives birth, without dropping her young.
- 11. They send out their young ones like a flock, and their children have pleasure in the dance,
- 12. They make songs to the instruments of music, and are glad at the sound of the pipe.
- 13. Their days come to an end without trouble, and suddenly they go down to the underworld.
- 14. Though they said to God, Go away from us, for we have no desire for the knowledge of your ways.
- 15. What is the Ruler of all, that we may give him worship? and what profit is it to us to make prayer to him?
- 16. Truly, is not their well-being in their power? (The purpose of the evil-doers is far from me.)
- 17. How frequently is the light of the evil-doers put out, or does trouble come on them? how frequently does his wrath take them with cords?
- 18. How frequently are they as dry stems before the wind, or as grass taken away by the storm-wind?
- 19. You say, God keeps punishment stored up for his children. Let him send it on the man himself, so that he may have the punishment of it!
- 20. Let his eyes see his trouble, and let him be full of the wrath of the Ruler of all!
- 21. For what interest has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is ended?
- 22. Is anyone able to give teaching to God? for he is the judge of those who are on high.
- 23. One comes to his end in complete well-being, full of peace and quiet:
- 24. His buckets are full of milk, and there is no loss of strength in his bones.
- 25. And another comes to his end with a bitter soul, without ever tasting good.
- 26. Together they go down to the dust, and are covered by the worm.
- 27. See, I am conscious of your thoughts, and of your violent purposes against me;
- 28. For you say, Where is the house of the ruler, and where is the tent of the evil-doer?
- 29. Have you not put the question to the travellers, and do you not take note of their experience?
- 30. How the evil man goes free in the day of trouble, and has salvation in the day of wrath?
- 31. Who will make his way clear to his face? and if he has done a thing, who gives him punishment for it?
- 32. He is taken to his last resting-place, and keeps watch over it.
- 33. The earth of the valley covering his bones is sweet to him, and all men come after him, as there were unnumbered before him.
- 34. Why then do you give me comfort with words in which there is no profit, when you see that there is nothing in your answers but deceit?
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