[1] Job again took up his discourse and said, [2] “As God lives, who has taken away my right, And the Almighty, who has embittered my soul, [3] For as long as life is in me, And the breath of God is in my nostrils, [4] My lips certainly will not speak unjustly, Nor will my tongue mutter deceit. [5] “Far be it from me that I should declare you right; Until I die, I will not give up my integrity. [6] “I have kept hold of my righteousness and will not let it go. My heart does not rebuke any of my days. [7] “May my enemy be as the wicked, And my opponent as the criminal. [8] “For what is the hope of the godless when he makes an end of life, When God requires his life? [9] “Will God hear his cry When distress comes upon him? [10] “Or will he take pleasure in the Almighty? Will he call on God at all times? [11] “I will instruct you in the power of God; What is with the Almighty I will not conceal. [12] “Behold, all of you have seen it; Why then do you talk of nothing? [13] “This is the portion of a wicked person from God, And the inheritance which tyrants receive from the Almighty: [14] Though his sons are many, they are destined for the sword; And his descendants will not be satisfied with bread. [15] “His survivors will be buried because of the plague, And their widows will not be able to weep. [16] “Though he piles up silver like dust, And prepares garments as plentiful as the clay, [17] He may prepare it, but the righteous will wear it And the innocent will divide the silver. [18] “He has built his house like the spider’s web, Or a hut which the watchman has made. [19] “He lies down rich, but never again; He opens his eyes, and it no longer exists. [20] “Terrors overtake him like a flood; A storm steals him away in the night. [21] “The east wind carries him away, and he is gone; For it sweeps him away from his place. [22] “For it will hurl at him without mercy; He will certainly try to flee from its power. [23] “People will clap their hands at him, And will whistle at him from their places.
