Job: God Will Punish the Wicked

1And Job answered and said:

2“Listen carefully to my speech,

and let this be your⁺ consolation.

3Bear with me, and I will speak;

and after I have spoken, you may mock.

4As for me, is my complaint against man?

And if so, why should not my spirit be short?

5Turn to me and be appalled,

and put a hand over your mouth.

6Even when I remember, then I am terrified,

and trembling seizes my flesh.

7Why do the wicked live on, growing old,

even becoming mighty in power?

8Their seed is established with them before their face,

and their offspring before their eyes.

9Their houses are safe from dread,

and the rod of God is not upon them.

10His bull passes over, without fail;

his cow brings forth, and does not miscarry.

11They send forth their little boys like a flock,

and their children skip about.

12They lift up to the tambourine and harp,

and they rejoice at the sound of the flute.

13They wear out their days in prosperity,

and in peace† go down to Sheol.

14And they said to God, ‘Turn away from us!

For we do not delight to know Your ways.

15What is Shaddai† that we should serve Him?

And what do we gain that we should meet with Him?’

16Behold, their own good 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 destruction comes upon them?

The pains He apportions in His anger.

18They become like straw before the face of the wind,

and like chaff that the storm carries him away.

19Does God store up for his sons his trouble?

Let Him repay to him, and he will know.

20Let his eyes see his destruction,

and let him drink from the wrath of Shaddai.

21For what is his delight in his house after him,

when the number of his months is cut off?

22Can one teach knowledge to God,

since He judges those being high?

23This one dies in the bone of his perfection,

all of him at ease and at rest;

24his pails are full of milk,

and the marrow of his bones is moist.

25And this one dies bitter in soul,

and not having eaten of the good.

26Together upon the dust they lie down,

and the worm covers them over.

27Behold, I know your⁺ thoughts,

and the notions you⁺ wrest upon me.

28For you⁺ say, ‘Where is the house of the noble?

And where is the tent of the habitation of the wicked?’

29Have you⁺ not asked those passing along the way,

and do you⁺ not recognize their signs,

30that from a day of calamity the evil one is held back,

and in the day of wrath they are brought forth?

31Who shall declare his way to his face?

And who will repay him for what he has done?

32When he is brought along to the graves,

then one keeps watch over his tomb.

33The clods of the torrent are sweet to him;

and after him every man will extend,

and those before his face are without number.

34And how can you⁺ comfort me in vain,

and in your⁺ answers remains falsehood?”