Job 21
1 Then Job made answer and said,
But Job answered and said,
2 Give attention with care to my words; and let this be your comfort.
Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations.
3 Let me say what is in my mind, and after that, go on making sport of me.
Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.
4 As for me, is my outcry against man? is it then to be wondered at if my spirit is troubled?
As for me, [is] my complaint to man? and if [it were so], why should not my spirit be troubled?
5 Take note of me and be full of wonder, put your hand on your mouth.
Mark me, and be astonished, and lay [your] hand upon [your] mouth.
6 At the very thought of it my flesh is shaking with fear.
Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.
7 Why is life given to the evil-doers? why do they become old and strong in power?
Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?
8 Their children are ever with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
9 Their houses are free from fear, and the rod of God does not come on them.
Their houses [are] safe from fear, neither [is] the rod of God upon them.
10 Their ox is ready at all times to give seed; their cow gives birth, without dropping her young.
Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
11 They send out their young ones like a flock, and their children have pleasure in the dance,
They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
12 They make songs to the instruments of music, and are glad at the sound of the pipe.
They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.
13 Their days come to an end without trouble, and suddenly they go down to the underworld. (Sheol h7585)
They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. (Sheol h7585)
14 Though they said to God, Go away from us, for we have no desire for the knowledge of your ways.
Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
15 What is the Ruler of all, that we may give him worship? and what profit is it to us to make prayer to him?
What [is] the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
16 Truly, is not their well-being in their power? (The purpose of the evil-doers is far from me.)
Lo, their good [is] not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
17 How frequently is the light of the evil-doers put out, or does trouble come on them? how frequently does his wrath take them with cords?
How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and [how oft] cometh their destruction upon them! [God] distributeth sorrows in his anger.
18 How frequently are they as dry stems before the wind, or as grass taken away by the storm-wind?
They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.
19 You say, God keeps punishment stored up for his children. Let him send it on the man himself, so that he may have the punishment of it!
God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know [it].
20 Let his eyes see his trouble, and let him be full of the wrath of the Ruler of all!
His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
21 For what interest has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is ended?
For what pleasure [hath] he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?
22 Is anyone able to give teaching to God? for he is the judge of those who are on high.
Shall [any] teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high.
23 One comes to his end in complete well-being, full of peace and quiet:
One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.
24 His buckets are full of milk, and there is no loss of strength in his bones.
His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.
25 And another comes to his end with a bitter soul, without ever tasting good.
And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.
26 Together they go down to the dust, and are covered by the worm.
They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.
27 See, I am conscious of your thoughts, and of your violent purposes against me;
Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices [which] ye wrongfully imagine against me.
28 For you say, Where is the house of the ruler, and where is the tent of the evil-doer?
For ye say, Where [is] the house of the prince? and where [are] the dwelling places of the wicked?
29 Have you not put the question to the travellers, and do you not take note of their experience?
Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens,
30 How the evil man goes free in the day of trouble, and has salvation in the day of wrath?
That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.
31 Who will make his way clear to his face? and if he has done a thing, who gives him punishment for it?
Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him [what] he hath done?
32 He is taken to his last resting-place, and keeps watch over it.
Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.
33 The earth of the valley covering his bones is sweet to him, and all men come after him, as there were unnumbered before him.
The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as [there are] innumerable before him.
34 Why then do you give me comfort with words in which there is no profit, when you see that there is nothing in your answers but deceit?
How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?
