A reading from the book of Job.

And Job again took up his discourse and said, As God lives who has taken away my right,

and the Almighty who has made my soul bitter, as long as my breath is in me and the Spirit

of God is in my nostrils, my lips will not speak falsehood, and my

tongue will not utter deceit. Far be it from me to say that you are right. Till I die,

I will not put away my integrity from me. I hold fast my righteousness, and will not let it go. My heart does not reproach me for any of my

days. Let my enemy be as the wicked, and let him who rises up against me be as the

unrighteous. For what is the hope of the godless, when God cuts him off, when God takes away his life?

Will God hear his cry when distress comes upon Him?

Will he take delight in the Almighty?

Will he call upon God at all times?

I will teach you concerning the hand of God.

What is with the Almighty I will not conceal.

Behold, all of you have seen it yourselves.

Why then have you become altogether vain?

This is the portion of a wicked man with God and the heritage that oppressors receive

from the Almighty.

If his children are multiplied, it is for the sword, and his descendants have not enough

bread.

Those who survive him, the pestilence berries, and his widows do not weep.

Though he heap up silver like dust, and pile up clothing like clay, he may pile it up,

but the righteous will wear it and the innocent will divide the silver. He builds his house

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