Job 27
1FURTHERMORE Job proceeded and by way of preface said:
2As God liveth, Who hath thus condemned me,—even the Almighty Who hath made my life bitter:
3while I have the power of breathing and the breath of God is in my nostrils,
4my lips shall not speak wickedness, nor shall my soul contrive mischief.
5Far be it from me to acknowledge you to be right; for till I die, I will not give up mine innocence.
6And for asserting my righteousness I make no apology; for I am not conscious to myself of having done amiss.
7Should not mine enemies then be as the overthrow of the wicked? And they who rise up against me as the destruction of transgressors?
8Now whatever hope a wicked man hath, that he persisteth; shall he who hath trusted in the Lord be indeed safe?
9Or will God hear his prayer? Or when trouble cometh upon him,
10hath he any assurance before Him? Or upon his calling, will He hearken to him?
11But now let me tell you what is by the hand of the Lord. What are from the Almighty I will not falsify.
12Behold you all know that you heap vanity on vanities, saying:
13“This is the portion of a wicked man from the Lord: and the possession of oppressors, which shall come to them from the Almighty.
14If their children be many they shall be for slaughter; and if they grow up to men, they shall be beggars.
15Those who are about him shall die by pestilence: and their widows none shall compassionate.
16Though he heap up silver as dust; and store up gold as clay:
17the righteous shall take charge of all these; and men of truth shall enjoy his wealth.
18His house is gone like moths or like a cobweb.
19He shall lie down rich but shall not continue so. He hath opened his eyes, and all is gone.
20Sorrows flowed in upon him like water: In a night a tempest swept him away.
21A burning wind shall take him up and go he must. It shall blow him away out of his place.
22He will dash upon him and will not spare. Should he by flight flee from His hand,
23He will cause them to clap their hands at him and will hiss him out of his place.”