Job’s Seventh Speech: A Response to Zophar

21 Then[fn] Job answered and said,

• 2 and let this be your[fn] consolation.
• 3 with me, and I myself[fn] will speak; then[fn] after my speaking you can mock.
• 4 As for me, is my complaint for human beings? And if so, why cannot I be impatient?
• 5  and place your hand on your mouth.
• 6 it, I am horrified,[fn] and shuddering seizes my flesh.
• 7 the wicked live, grow old, even grow mighty in power?
• 8 are established[fn] and their descendants before their eyes.
• 9 are safe without fear, and the rod of God is not upon them.
• 10  his cow calves and does not miscarry.
• 11  and their children dance around.
• 12 [fn] to the tambourine and lyre, and they rejoice to the sound of the long flute.
• 13  and in peace they go down to Sheol.
• 14  for[fn] we do not desire to know your ways.
• 15 is Shaddai that we should serve him, or[fn] what would we benefit when we plead with him?’
• 16 is not in their hands; the schemes of the wicked are repugnant[fn] to me.
• 17 the lamp of the wicked put out, and their disaster comes upon them?
• He[fn] distributes pains in his anger.
• 18 How often are they like straw[fn] the wind, and like chaff that the storm carries away?
• 19 [fn] Then let him repay it to him that[fn] he may know.
• 20 and let him drink from the wrath of Shaddai,
• 21 [fn] his house after him, when the number of his months is[fn] cut off?
• 22  since[fn] he himself[fn] judges high ones?
• 23 one dies[fn] [fn] at ease and secure.
• 24 with milk and the marrow of his bones is moist.
• 25 [fn] another dies with a bitter inner self[fn] and has not tasted prosperity.
• 26 the dust, and maggots cover them.
• 27 [fn] thoughts and the schemes you devise against me.
• 28  and where are[fn]
• 29 those traveling the roads, and do you not take notice of their accounts?
• 30 the wicked is spared from the day of disaster; he is delivered from the day of wrath.
• 31  And who repays him for what he has done?
• 32 [fn] he is brought to the grave, then[fn] someone stands guard over the tomb.
• 33 The clods of the valley are sweet to him; everyone will follow after him,
• and[fn] him [fn]
• 34 [fn] how will you comfort me with emptiness, when[fn] fraud is left in your answers?”