Job 27

1Moreover Job continued his parable, and said,footnote a

2As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul;footnote b

3All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils;footnote c

4My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.

5God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.

6My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.footnote d

7Let mine enemy be as the wicked, and he that riseth up against me as the unrighteous.

8For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?

9Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him?

10Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call upon God?

11I will teach you by the hand of God: that which is with the Almighty will I not conceal.footnote e

12Behold, all ye yourselves have seen it; why then are ye thus altogether vain?

13This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, which they shall receive of the Almighty.

14If his children be multiplied, it is for the sword: and his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread.

15Those that remain of him shall be buried in death: and his widows shall not weep.

16Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay;

17He may prepare it, but the just shall put it on, and the innocent shall divide the silver.

18He buildeth his house as a moth, and as a booth that the keeper maketh.

19The rich man shall lie down, but he shall not be gathered: he openeth his eyes, and he is not.

20Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night.

21The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth: and as a storm hurleth him out of his place.

22For God shall cast upon him, and not spare: he would fain flee out of his hand.footnote f

23Men shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place.

Job Affirms His Integrity

1Job continued his discourse:

2“As surely as God lives, who has deprived me of justice—the Almighty, who has embittered my soul— 3as long as my breath is still within meand the breath of God remains in my nostrils, 4my lips will not speak wickedness,and my tongue will not utter deceit. 5I will never say that you are right;I will maintain my integrity until I die. 6I will cling to my righteousness and never let go.As long as I live, my conscience will not accuse me.

The Wicked Man’s Portion

7May my enemy be like the wickedand my opponent like the unjust. 8For what is the hope of the godless when he is cut off,when God takes away his life? 9Will God hear his crywhen distress comes upon him? 10Will he delight in the Almighty?Will he call upon God at all times? 11I will instruct you in the power of God.I will not conceal the ways of the Almighty. 12Surely all of you have seen it for yourselves.Why then do you keep up this empty talk?

13This is the wicked man’s portion from God—the heritage the ruthless receive from the Almighty. 14Though his sons are many, they are destined for the sword;and his offspring will never have enough food. 15His survivors will be buried by the plague,and their widows will not weep for them. 16Though he heaps up silver like dustand piles up a wardrobe like clay, 17what he lays up, the righteous will wear,and his silver will be divided by the innocent. 18The house he built is like a moth’s cocoon,like a hut set up by a watchman. 19He lies down wealthy, but will do so no more;when he opens his eyes, all is gone. 20Terrors overtake him like a flood;a tempest sweeps him away in the night. 21The east wind carries him away, and he is gone;it sweeps him out of his place. 22It hurls itself against him without mercyas he flees headlong from its power. 23It claps its hands at himand hisses him out of his place.