1 Job said:

2 If you want to offer comfort,

then listen to me.

3 And when I have finished,

you can start your insults

all over again.

4 My complaint is against God;

that's why I am impatient.

5 Just looking at me is enough

to make you sick,

6 and the very thought of myself

fills me with disgust.

7 Why do evil people live so long

and gain such power?

8 Why are they allowed to see

their children grow up?*

9 They have no worries at home,

and God never punishes them.

10 Their cattle have lots of calves

without ever losing one;

11 their children play and dance

safely by themselves.

12 These people sing and celebrate

to the sound of tambourines,

small harps, and flutes,

13 and they are successful,

without a worry,

until the day they die.

14 Those who are evil say

to God All-Powerful,

"Leave us alone! Don't bother us

with your teachings.

15 What do we gain from praying

and worshiping you?

16 We succeeded all on our own."

And so, I keep away from them

and their evil schemes.

17 How often does God become angry

and send disaster and darkness

to punish sinners?

18 How often does he strike them

like a windstorm

that scatters straw?

19 You say, "God will punish

those sinners' children

in place of those sinners."

But I say, "Let him punish

those sinners themselves

until they really feel it.

20 Let God All-Powerful force them

to drink their own destruction

from the cup of his anger.

21 Because after they are dead,

they won't care what happens

to their children."

22 Who can tell God what to do?

He judges powerful rulers.

* 23 Some of us die prosperous,

24 enjoying good health,

25 while others die in poverty,

having known only pain.

26 But we all end up dead,

beneath a blanket of worms.

27 My friends, I know that you

are plotting against me.

28 You ask, "Where is the home

of that important person

who does so much evil?"

29 Everyone, near and far, agrees

30 that those who do wrong

never suffer disaster,

when God becomes angry.

31 No one points out their sin

or punishes them.

32 Then at their funerals,

they are highly praised;

33 the earth welcomes them home,

while crowds mourn.

34 But empty, meaningless words

are the comfort you offer me.