[1] I swear by the living Almighty God, who refuses me justice and makes my life bitter- [3] as long as God gives me breath, [4] my lips will never say anything evil, my tongue will never tell a lie. [5] I will never say that you men are right; I will insist on my innocence to my dying day. [6] I will never give up my claim to be right; my conscience is clear. [7] May all who oppose me and fight against me be punished like the wicked and the unrighteous. [8] What hope is there for the godless in the hour when God demands their life? [9] When trouble comes, will God hear their cries? [10] They should have desired the joy he gives; they should have constantly prayed to him. [11] Let me teach you how great is God's power, and explain what Almighty God has planned. [12] But no, after all, you have seen for yourselves; so why do you talk such nonsense? [13] This is how Almighty God punishes wicked, violent people. [14] They may have many sons, but all will be killed in war; their children never have enough to eat. [15] Those who survive will die from disease, and even their widows will not mourn their death. [16] The wicked may have too much silver to count and more clothes than anyone needs; [17] but some good person will wear the clothes, and someone honest will get the silver. [18] The wicked build houses like a spider's web or like the hut of a slave guarding the fields. [19] One last time they will lie down rich, and when they wake up, they will find their wealth gone. [20] Terror will strike like a sudden flood; a wind in the night will blow them away; [21] the east wind will sweep them from their homes; [22] it will blow down on them without pity while they try their best to escape. [23] The wind howls at them as they run, frightening them with destructive power.
