[1] Then Job answered,
[2] “Listen carefully to my speech, And let this be your way of consolation.
[3] Bear with me that I may speak; Then after I have spoken, you may mock.
[4] As for me, is my complaint to man? And why should I not be impatient?
[5] Look at me, and be astonished, And put your hand over your mouth.
[6] Even when I remember, I am disturbed, And horror takes hold of my flesh.
[7] Why do the wicked still live, Continue on, also become very powerful?
[8] Their descendants are established with them in their sight, And their offspring before their eyes,
[9] Their houses are safe from fear, And the rod of God is not on them.
[10] His ox mates without fail; His cow calves and does not abort.
[11] They send forth their little ones like the flock, And their children skip about.
[12] They sing to the timbrel and harp And rejoice at the sound of the flute.
[13] They spend their days in prosperity, And suddenly they go down to Sheol.
[14] They say to God, ‘Depart from us! We do not even desire the knowledge of Your ways.
[15] Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, And what would we gain if we entreat Him?’
[16] Behold, their prosperity is not in their hand; The counsel of the wicked is far from me.
[17] How often is the lamp of the wicked put out, Or does their calamity fall on them? Does God apportion destruction in His anger?
[18] Are they as straw before the wind, And like chaff which the storm carries away?
[19] You say, ‘God stores away a man's iniquity for his sons.’ Let God repay him so that he may know it.
[20] Let his own eyes see his decay, And let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
[21] For what does he care for his household after him, When the number of his months is cut off?
[22] Can anyone teach God knowledge, In that He judges those on high?
[23] One dies in his full strength, Being wholly at ease and satisfied;
[24] His sides are filled out with fat, And the marrow of his bones is moist,
[25] While another dies with a bitter soul, Never even tasting anything good.
[26] Together they lie down in the dust, And worms cover them.
[27] Behold, I know your thoughts, And the plans by which you would wrong me.
[28] For you say, ‘Where is the house of the nobleman, And where is the tent, the dwelling places of the wicked?’
[29] Have you not asked wayfaring men, And do you not recognize their witness?
[30] For the wicked is reserved for the day of calamity; They will be led forth at the day of fury.
[31] Who will confront him with his actions, And who will repay him for what he has done?
[32] While he is carried to the grave, Men will keep watch over his tomb.
[33] The clods of the valley will gently cover him; Moreover, all men will follow after him, While countless ones go before him.
[34] How then will you vainly comfort me, For your answers remain full of falsehood?”