Job 27

Job's Declaration of Integrity and the Fate of the Wicked

2 min read

1

Moreover Job continued his parable, and said,

2

As God lives, who has taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who has vexed my soul;

3

All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils;

4

My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.

5

God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove my integrity from me.

6

My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.

7

Let my enemy be as the wicked, and he that rises up against me as the unrighteous.

8

For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he has gained, when God takes away his soul?

9

Will God hear his cry when trouble comes on him?

10

Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call on God?

11

I will teach you by the hand of God: that which is with the Almighty will I not conceal.

12

Behold, all you yourselves have seen it; why then are you thus altogether vain?

13

This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, which they shall receive of the Almighty.

14

If his children be multiplied, it is for the sword: and his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread.

15

Those that remain of him shall be buried in death: and his widows shall not weep.

16

Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay;

17

He may prepare it, but the just shall put it on, and the innocent shall divide the silver.

18

He builds his house as a moth, and as a booth that the keeper makes.

19

The rich man shall lie down, but he shall not be gathered: he opens his eyes, and he is not.

20

Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest steals him away in the night.

21

The east wind carries him away, and he departs: and as a storm hurls him out of his place.

22

For God shall cast on him, and not spare: he would fain flee out of his hand.

23

Men shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place.