< Job 27 >
1 And Job continued taking up his parable, and said,
2 As God liveth, who hath removed justice from me; and by the Almighty, who hath embittered my soul:
3 All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils;
4 Shall my lips not speak any wrong, nor shall my tongue utter deceit.
5 Far be it from me that I should justify you; till I depart hence will I not allow [any one] to take my integrity away from me.
6 I have laid fast hold on my righteousness, and I will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me [for my conduct] during all my life.
7 Like the wicked is [therefore] my enemy, and he that riseth up against me like a wrong-doer.
8 For what is the hope of the hypocrite, when he hath gained unjust wealth, when God casteth forth his soul?
9 Will God hear his cry, when distress cometh upon him?
10 Or can he find delight in the Almighty? can he call on God at all times?
11 I will instruct you concerning what is in the hand of God: [the way] which is with the Almighty will I not conceal.
12 Lo! ye yourselves have all beheld it: why is it then that ye deal in such vanities?
13 This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the portion of tyrants, which they shall receive from the Almighty.
14 If his children be multiplied, it is only for the sword; and his offspring will not be satisfied with bread.
15 Those of his that are left to escape will be buried by death; and his widows will not be able to weep.
16 Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare garments [as plentifully] as the clay:
17 He may prepare, but the righteous will clothe himself [therewith], and the silver the innocent will divide.
18 He buildeth his house like the moth, and like a hut that a keeper hath made.
19 Rich will he lie down, but will not be gathered [into the grave]: one openeth his eyes, and he is no more.
20 Like a flood will terror overtake him, in the night a tempest will steal him away.
21 The east wind will lift him up, and he must be gone; and it hurleth him like a storm out of his place.
22 And [God] will cast [evil] upon him, and bare no pity: out of his hand [his wealth] will surely escape.
23 Men will clap their hands over him, and will hiss after him out of his place.