1But Job answered, 2“Listen carefully to my words; that is one consolation you can give me. 3Bear with me while I speak; and after I have spoken, mock on. 4Is my complaint directed to or about man? And if it were so, why should I not be impatient? 5Look at me, and be appalled, and put your hand over your mouth. 6When I think about what I am saying, I am afraid, and trembling takes hold of my body. 7Why do the wicked live on, become old, and remain mighty in power? 8They live to see their offspring established. 9Their houses are safe and secure, neither is the rod of God upon them. 10Their bull breeds without fail; their cow calves, and does not miscarry her calf. 11They send forth their children like a flock, and they dance. 12They sing with the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the flute. 13They enjoy their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. 14Yet, they say to God, ‘Depart from us; for we do not desire to know of Your ways. 15What is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit should we have, if we pray to Him?’ 16But note that their prosperity is not in their own hand; the mindset of the wicked is not for me. 17How often is the lamp of the wicked snuffed out? And how often does their destruction come upon them? Does God distribute sorrows to them in His anger? 18The wicked are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carries away. 19God stores up punishment for the wicked; He rewards him, and he shall know it. 20His eyes shall see his own destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty. 21For what pleasure has he in his house after his death, when the number of his months is cut off? 22Can anyone teach God knowledge, seeing He judges even those on high. 23One dies in his full strength, being wholly at ease, quiet and content. 24He is full of health; and his bones are moistened with marrow. 25Another person dies in the bitterness of his soul, and never having tasted pleasure. 26They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them. 27Look, I know full well your thoughts, and the schemes you wrongfully plot against me. 28For you say, ‘Where is the house of the great and noble man? And where are the tents of the wicked?’ 29Have you never questioned those who travel? Have you paid no attention to their answer— 30That the wicked are spared from the day of calamity, that they are allowed to escape disaster (in this life)? No one criticizes them openly or pays them back for what they have done. 32When they are carried to the grave, an honor guard keeps watch at their tomb. 33A great funeral procession goes to the cemetery. Many pay their respects as the body is laid to rest. 34So how does your nonsense console me? All your rhetoric are lies!”