1And Job answered and said:
2Hear, O hear, my word, and let this be your consolations.
3Bear with me, and I will speak; and after I have spoken, you may mock.
4As for me, is my complaint to man (adam)? And if so, why should my spirit (ruach) not be impatient?
5Turn to me and be astonished, and lay a hand upon the mouth.
6And when I remember, I am terrified, and shuddering seizes my flesh (basar).
7Why do the wicked live, grow old, even grow mighty in power?
8Their seed is established before them with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
9Their houses are at peace, without fear, and the rod of God is not upon them.
10His bull breeds and does not fail; his cow calves and does not miscarry.
11They send forth their little ones like the flock, and their children dance.
12They lift up the voice with timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe.
13They spend their days in good, and in a moment they go down to Sheol.
14And they say to God, "Depart from us, and the knowledge of your ways we do not desire.
15What is Shaddai that we should serve (avad) him? And what do we profit if we entreat him?"
16Behold, their good is not in their hand; the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
17How often is the lamp of the wicked put out, and their calamity comes upon them? He apportions pains in His anger.
18They are like straw before the spirit (ruach), and like chaff that the storm steals away.
19God lays up his iniquity for his sons; let Him repay him, that he may know.
20Let his own eyes see his ruin, and let him drink of the wrath of Shaddai.
21For what is his desire in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off?
22Does one teach God knowledge, seeing it is He who judges the exalted?
23This one dies in the strength of his fullness, wholly at ease and quiet;
24his pails are full of milk, and the marrow of his bones is moistened.
25And this one dies in bitterness of soul (nephesh), and has not eaten of the good.
26Together upon the dust (aphar) they lie down, and the worm covers them.
27Behold, I know your thoughts, and the schemes you wrongfully devise against me.
28For you say, "Where is the house of the noble, and where is the tent, the dwellings (mishkan) of the wicked?"
29Have you not asked those who pass by the way, and do you not recognize their signs (ot)?
30That to the day of calamity the evil one is spared, to the day of wrath they are led forth.
31Who declares his way to his face, and who repays him for what he has done?
32And he is borne to the graves, and over the tomb he keeps watch.
33The clods of the valley are sweet to him, and after him every man (adam) draws, and before him there is no number.
34And how do you comfort me with vanity, when your answers remain only treachery?