Job 27

1Job lifted up his parable again and said,

2As God lives, who has denied me justice, the Almighty who has embittered my soul.

3For as long as my breath remains in me and God's spirit is in my nostrils,

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

5Far be it from me to vindicate you; I will not renounce my integrity until I die.

6I cling to my righteousness and will not forsake it; my heart will not shame me throughout my days.

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

8For what is a hypocrite's hope when he gains, when God takes away his soul?

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

10Will he take delight in the Almighty? Will he call God continually?

11I will instruct you about God's hand—what is with the Almighty I will not conceal.

12Look, all of you have seen it; why then do you act with such vanity?

13This is the share of a wicked man from God, the inheritance of oppressors they receive from the Almighty.

14If his children increase, the sword awaits them, and his offspring will not have their fill of bread.

15His survivors will be buried by death, and his widows will not mourn.

16Though he amasses silver like dust and readies clothing like clay,

17He establishes it, but the righteous shall array themselves in it, and the blameless shall divide the silver.

18He builds his house like a moth, like a booth a keeper makes.

19The rich man lies down, but he is not gathered; he opens his eyes, and he is no more.

20Terrors come upon him like waters; a tempest snatches him away in the night.

21The east wind lifts him up, and he goes away; a storm hurls him from his place.

22It flings at him and shows no pity as he flees from his hand.

23They clap their hands at him, and hiss him from his place.