Is

…he will perish forever, like his own dung; those who had seen him will ask, ‘Where is he?’

Though evil is sweet in his mouth and he conceals it under his tongue,

Because his appetite is never satisfied, he cannot escape with his treasure.

Nothing is left for him to consume; thus his prosperity will not endure.

It is drawn out of his back, the gleaming point from his liver. Terrors come over him.

Total darkness is reserved for his treasures. A fire unfanned will consume him and devour what is left in his tent.

Total darkness is reserved for his treasures. A fire unfanned will consume him and devour what is left in his tent.

This is the wicked man’s portion from God, the inheritance God has appointed him.”

Is my complaint against a man? Then why should I not be impatient?

Their homes are safe from fear; no rod of punishment from God is upon them.

Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what would we gain if we pray to Him?’

Still, their prosperity is not in their own hands, so I stay far from the counsel of the wicked.

How often is the lamp of the wicked put out? Does disaster come upon them? Does God, in His anger, apportion destruction?

It is said that God lays up one’s punishment for his children. Let God repay the man himself, so he will know it.

His body is well nourished, and his bones are rich with marrow.

For you say, ‘Where now is the nobleman’s house, and where are the tents in which the wicked dwell?’

Indeed, the evil man is spared from the day of calamity, delivered from the day of wrath.

He is carried to the grave, and watch is kept over his tomb.

He is carried to the grave, and watch is kept over his tomb.

Is it for your reverence that He rebukes you and enters into judgment against you?

Is not your wickedness great? Are not your iniquities endless?

…it is so dark you cannot see, and a flood of water covers you.

Is not God as high as the heavens? Look at the highest stars, how lofty they are!

He will deliver even one who is not innocent, rescuing him through the cleanness of your hands.”

“Even today my complaint is bitter. His hand is heavy despite my groaning.

“Even today my complaint is bitter. His hand is heavy despite my groaning.

If I go east, He is not there, and if I go west, I cannot find Him.

When He is at work in the north, I cannot behold Him; when He turns to the south, I cannot see Him.

But He is unchangeable, and who can oppose Him? He does what He desires.

Indeed, like wild donkeys in the desert, the poor go to work foraging for food; the wasteland is food for their children.

The fatherless infant is snatched from the breast; the nursing child of the poor is seized for a debt.

The fatherless infant is snatched from the breast; the nursing child of the poor is seized for a debt.

When daylight is gone, the murderer rises to kill the poor and needy; in the night he is like a thief.

When daylight is gone, the murderer rises to kill the poor and needy; in the night he is like a thief.

For to them, deep darkness is their morning; surely they are friends with the terrors of darkness!

They are but foam on the surface of the water; their portion of the land is cursed, so that no one turns toward their vineyards.

The womb forgets them; the worm feeds on them; they are remembered no more. So injustice is broken like a tree.

If this is not so, then who can prove me a liar and reduce my words to nothing?”

…how much less man, who is but a maggot, and the son of man, who is but a worm!”

…how much less man, who is but a maggot, and the son of man, who is but a worm!”

“How you have helped the powerless and saved the arm that is feeble!

Sheol is naked before God, and Abaddon has no covering.

Indeed, these are but the fringes of His ways; how faint is the whisper we hear of Him! Who then can understand the thunder of His power?”

…as long as my breath is still within me and the breath of God remains in my nostrils,

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

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

This is the wicked man’s portion from God—the heritage the ruthless receive from the Almighty.

The house he built is like a moth’s cocoon, like a hut set up by a watchman.

He lies down wealthy, but will do so no more; when he opens his eyes, all is gone.

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

“Surely there is a mine for silver and a place where gold is refined.

“Surely there is a mine for silver and a place where gold is refined.

Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore.

Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore.

Food may come from the earth, but from below it is transformed as by fire.

He stops up the sources of the streams to bring what is hidden to light.

No man can know its value, nor is it found in the land of the living.

The ocean depths say, ‘It is not in me,’ while the sea declares, ‘It is not with me.’

The ocean depths say, ‘It is not in me,’ while the sea declares, ‘It is not with me.’

Coral and quartz are unworthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.

It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing and concealed from the birds of the air.

And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”

And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”

My glory is ever new within me, and my bow is renewed in my hand.’

My glory is ever new within me, and my bow is renewed in my hand.’

And now my soul is poured out within me; days of affliction grip me.

My harp is tuned to mourning and my flute to the sound of weeping.

For what is the allotment of God from above, or the heritage from the Almighty on high?

For it is a fire that burns down to Abaddon; it would root out my entire harvest.

…if the men of my house have not said, ‘Who is there who has not had his fill?’—

(Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my signature. Let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser compose an indictment.

So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite declared: “I am young in years, while you are old; that is why I was timid and afraid to tell you what I know.

But there is a spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.

It is not only the old who are wise, or the elderly who understand justice.

Behold, my belly is like unvented wine; it is about to burst like a new wineskin.

Behold, my belly is like unvented wine; it is about to burst like a new wineskin.

Behold, I will open my mouth; my address is on the tip of my tongue.

Behold, you are not right in this matter. I will answer you, for God is greater than man.

A man is also chastened on his bed with pain and constant distress in his bones,

Yet if there is a messenger on his side, one mediator in a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him,

Yet if there is a messenger on his side, one mediator in a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him,

…then his flesh is refreshed like a child’s; he returns to the days of his youth.

Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.

Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.

Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’

What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water?

Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.

…who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.

There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide.

“Do you think this is just? You say, ‘I am more righteous than God.’

But no one asks, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives us songs in the night,

How much less, then, when you say that you do not see Him, that your case is before Him and you must wait for Him,

“Bear with me a little longer, and I will show you that there is more to be said on God’s behalf.

For truly my words are free of falsehood; one perfect in knowledge is with you.

Indeed, God is mighty, but He despises no one; He is mighty in strength of understanding.

Indeed, God is mighty, but He despises no one; He is mighty in strength of understanding.

Behold, God is exalted in His power. Who is a teacher like Him?

Behold, God is exalted in His power. Who is a teacher like Him?

Indeed, God is great—beyond our knowledge; the number of His years is unsearchable.

Indeed, God is great—beyond our knowledge; the number of His years is unsearchable.