Job 28

1 Because he broke in and stripped the poor: he hath violently taken away a house which he did not build. 2 And yet his belly was not filled: and when he hath the things he coveted, he shall not be able to possess them. 3 There was nothing left of his meat, and therefore nothing shall continue of his goods: 4 When he shall be filled, he shall be straitened, he shall burn, and every sorrow shall fall upon him. 5 May his belly be filled, that God may send forth the wrath of his indignation upon him, and rain down his war upon him. 6 He shall flee from weapons of iron, and shall fall upon a bow of brass. 7 The sword is drawn out, and cometh forth from its scabbard, and glittereth in his bitterness: the terrible ones shall go and come upon him. 8 All darkness is hid in his secret places: a fire that is not kindled shall devour him, he shall be afflicted when left in his tabernacle. 9 The heavens shall reveal his iniquity, and the earth shall rise up against him. 10 The offspring of his house shall be exposed, he shall be pulled down in the day of God’s wrath. 11 This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the inheritance of his doings from the Lord. 13 Then Job answered, and said: 14 Hear, I beseech you, my words, and do penance. 15 Suffer me, and I will speak, and after, if you please, laugh at my words. 16 Is my debate against man, that I should not have just reason to be troubled? 17 Hearken to me and be astonished, and lay your finger on your mouth. 18 As for me, when I remember, I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh. 19 Why then do the wicked live, are they advanced, and strengthened with riches? 20 Their seed continueth before them, a multitude of kinsmen, and of children’s children in their sight. 21 Their houses are secure and peaceable, and the rod of God is not upon them. 22 Their cattle have conceived, and failed not: their cow has calved, and is not deprived of her fruit. 23 Their little ones go out like a flock, and their children dance and play. 24 They take the timbrel, and the harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ. 25 They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment they go down to hell. 26 Who have said to God: Depart from us, we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. 27 Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what doth it profit us if we pray to him? 28 Yet because their good things are not in their hand, may the counsel of the wicked be far from me.