A Protest of Innocence

27:1 And Job took up his discourse again:

27:2 “As surely as God lives, who has denied me justice, the Almighty, who has made my life bitter —

27:3 for while my spirit is still in me, and the breath from God is in my nostrils,

27:4 my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will whisper no deceit.

27:5 I will never declare that you are in the right; until I die, I will not set aside my integrity!

27:6 I will maintain my righteousness and never let it go; my conscience will not reproach me for as long as I live.

The Condition of the Wicked

27:7 “May my enemy be like the wicked, my adversary like the unrighteous.

27:8 For what hope does the godless have when he is cut off, when God takes away his life?

27:9 Does God listen to his cry when distress overtakes him?

27:10 Will he find delight in the Almighty? Will he call out to God at all times?

27:11 I will teach you about the power of God; What is on Shaddai’s mind I will not conceal.

27:12 If you yourselves have all seen this, Why in the world do you continue this meaningless talk?

27:13 This is the portion of the wicked man allotted by God, the inheritance that evildoers receive from the Almighty.

27:14 If his children increase — it is for the sword! His offspring never have enough to eat.

27:15 Those who survive him are buried by the plague, and their widows do not mourn for them.

27:16 If he piles up silver like dust and stores up clothing like mounds of clay,

27:17 what he stores up a righteous man will wear, and an innocent man will inherit his silver.