1 Job desireth to be patiently heard because of his strange calamities: 7 he sheweth that wicked men sometimes do so prosper, that they are tempted to forget God: 16 though at other times their destruction is manifest. 23 The happy and unhappy are alike in death. 27 The judgment of the wicked is in another world.
1. But Job answered and said,
2. aHear diligently my speech, and let this be your bconsolations.
3. Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, cmock on.
4. As for me, dis my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be 1troubled?
5. 2Mark me, and ebe astonished, and flay your hand upon your mouth.
6. Even when I remember gI am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.
7. hWherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are imighty in power?
8. Their jseed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
9. Their houses 3are safe from fear, kneither is the rod of God upon them.
10. lTheir bull *gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
11. mThey send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
12. They ntake the *timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the oorgan.
13. They pspend their days 4in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.
14. qTherefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
15. rWhat is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
16. Lo, stheir good is not in their hand: tthe counsel of the wicked uis far from me.
17. How voft is the 5candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God wdistributeth sorrows in his anger.
18. They are as xstubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm 6carrieth away.
19. God layeth up 7his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it.
20. yHis eyes shall see his destruction, and zhe shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
21. For what apleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off bin the midst?
22. cShall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are dhigh.
23. One dieth 8in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.
24. eHis breasts are 9full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.
25. fAnd another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.
26. They gshall lie down halike in the dust, and the iworms shall cover them.
27. Behold, I know your jthoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.
28. For ye say, Where is the khouse of the prince? and where are 10the dwelling places of the wicked?
29. Have ye not asked them that lgo by the way? and do ye not know their tokens,
30. That the wicked mis reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to 11the day of wrath.
31. nWho shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?
32. oYet shall he be brought to the 12grave, and shall 13remain in the tomb.
33. The clods of the valley shall be psweet unto him, and qevery man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him.
34. How rthen comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth 14falsehood?
But Job answered and said, Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations. Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on. As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled? Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth. Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh. Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power? Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes. Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them. Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf. They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance. They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ. They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me. How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger. They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away. God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it. His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty. For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst? Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high. One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet. His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow. And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure. They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them. Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me. For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked? Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens, That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath. Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done? Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb. The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him. How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?