Job 27

1And Job again took up his discourse and said:

2As God lives, who has denied me justice, and the Almighty, who has made my life bitter,

3For as long as my breath is still in me, and the breath of God is in my nostrils,

4my lips will not speak injustice, nor will my tongue utter deceit.

5Far be it from me to declare you right; until I die, I will not give up my integrity.

6I hold fast to my righteousness and will not let it go; my heart does not reproach me for any of my days.

7May my enemy be like the wicked, and the one who rises against me like the unrighteous.

8For what hope does the godless have when he is cut off, when God takes away his life?

9Will God hear his cry when distress comes upon him?

10Will he delight in the Almighty? Will he call on God at all times?

11I will teach you about God's hand; what is with the Almighty I will not hide.

12Look, all of you have seen it; why then do you speak such nonsense?

13This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the inheritance that the ruthless receive from the Almighty:

14If his sons become numerous, they are destined for the sword, and his descendants will not have enough bread.

15Those who survive him will be buried by death, and his widows will not weep.

16Though he heaps up silver like dust and prepares clothing like clay,

17He may prepare it, but the righteous will wear it, and the innocent will divide the silver.

18He builds his house as a moth does, like a shelter made by a watchman.

19He lies down rich, but he will not be gathered; he opens his eyes, and he is gone.

20Terrors overtake him like a flood; in the night a storm steals him away.

21The east wind carries him away, and he is gone; it sweeps him away from his place.

22It hurls itself against him without pity; he flees headlong from its hand.

23He claps his hands at him and hisses at him from his place.