Job Affirms His Integrity

1And Job proceeded again to take up his discourse, and he said,

2“As God lives, who has turned aside my justice,

and Shaddai† who has embittered my soul—

3that any of my breath still is in me,

and the breath of God is in my nostrils,

4my lips will not speak wickedness,

and my tongue will not utter deceit.

5Far be it from me that I justify you⁺;

until I die, I will not turn aside my integrity from me.

6My righteousness I hold fast, and I will not let go;

my heart shall not reproach me in my days.

The Wicked Man’s Portion

7May my enemy be like the wicked,

and the one rising up against me like the unjust.

8For what is the hope of the godless when he is cut off,

when God takes away his life?

9Will God hear his cry

when distress comes upon him?

10Indeed will he delight himself upon Shaddai?

Will he call upon God at any time?

11I will teach you⁺ about the hand of God;

that which is with Shaddai I will not hide.

12Behold, you⁺—all of you⁺—you⁺ have seen this;

why then do you⁺ vainly utter this vanity?

13This is the portion of the wicked man with God,

and the inheritance of the ruthless which they receive from Shaddai.

14If his sons should increase, it is for the sword;

and his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread.

15His survivor will be buried in death,

and his widows will not lament.

16Though he heaps up silver like the dust,

and piles up clothing like the clay,

17he may pile it up, but the righteous will wear it,

and the innocent will divide his silver.

18He builds his house like the moth,

and like a booth made by a watchman.

19He lies down rich, but he shall not gather again;

he opens his eyes, and he is not.

20Terrors overwhelm him like waters;

in the night a tempest steals him away.

21The east wind carries him away, and he is gone;

and it sweeps him from his place.

22And it hurls itself upon him, and does not spare;

he urgently flees from its hand.

23It claps its hands at him,

and hisses at him from his place.