(11) В¶ I will teach you by the hand of God: that which is with the Almighty will I not conceal. (12) Behold, all ye yourselves have seen it; why then are ye 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 buildeth his house as a moth, and as a booth that the keeper maketh. (19) The rich man shall lie down, but he shall not be gathered: he openeth his eyes, and he is not. (20) Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night. (21) The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth: and as a storm hurleth him out of his place. (22) For God shall cast upon 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.
If the Reader will compare what Job here saith in several instances, with what his friends had before observed, he will find that they agree in certain points. Job prefaceth this part of his discourse with observing, that being under divine teaching, he hath no cause to conceal truth. He therefore allows several things which they had said to be true, that wicked people must be miserable; but then the issue of their wickedness is not always induced presently. Eliphaz had said (Job 15:29-30.) that the riches of the wicked should not continue, and that the flame should dry up his branches. And Job confirms this in saying, that if his children, which are his branches, be multiplied, it shall be for the sword; and though be heap up silver as the dust, the innocent shall divide it. So again Bildad had said (chap. 18:1.), that terrors should make the wicked afraid on every side. Now Job makes the same observation, that terrors should take hold on him as waters. But while they agree in one point, that wickedness is sure in the end to meet its just reward, Job still maintains his point, that it is not by outward circumstances of this world's goods, conclusion is to be drawn of GOD'S favor. Many a precious soul may be sharply exercised, and be in great affliction; and many a prosperous villain may seem to enjoy great riches. And this was the contest between Job and his friends from beginning to end. They argued, from his uncommon calamities, that notwithstanding all his profession of piety, he was an hypocrite. Job takes up the subject on this ground, and after again and again contending for his sincerity, he goes on to show, that though wickedness must terminate fatally, yet it may for a while prosper and flourish. Reader! it is remarkable how much in all ages the faithful have been puzzled to explain these things. Jeremiah sets it down as an incontrovertible truth, that all the ways of GOD are righteous: yet, saith the Prophet, though I know this, I want to know why it is that the way of the wicked should prosper: Jeremiah 12:1-3. And Asaph doth exactly the same. Psalms 73:1. to the end.