[1] Then Job continued 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; Till I die I will not put away my integrity from me. [6] "I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go. My heart does not reproach any of my days. [7] "May my enemy be as the wicked And my opponent as the unjust. [8] "For what is the hope of the godless when he is cut off, When God requires his life? [9] "Will God hear his cry When distress comes upon him? [10] "Will he take delight 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 act foolishly? [13] "This is the portion of a wicked man 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 just will wear it And the innocent will divide the silver. [18] "He has built his house like the spider's web, Or as a hut which the watchman has made. [19] "He lies down rich, but never again; He opens his eyes, and it is no longer. [20] "Terrors overtake him like a flood; A tempest steals him away in the night. [21] "The east wind carries him away, and he is gone, For it whirls him away from his place. [22] "For it will hurl at him without sparing; He will surely try to flee from its power. [23] "Men will clap their hands at him And will hiss him from his place.
