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?
