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 you, hear you my words, that I may not have this consolation from you.
3 Let me say what is in my mind, and after that, go on making sport of me.
Raise me, and I will speak; then you shall not laugh me to scorn.
4 As for me, is my outcry against man? is it then to be wondered at if my spirit is troubled?
What! is my reproof of man? and why should I not be angry?
5 Take note of me and be full of wonder, put your hand on your mouth.
Look upon me, and wonder, laying your hand upon your cheek.
6 At the very thought of it my flesh is shaking with fear.
For even when I remember, I am alarmed, and pains seize my flesh.
7 Why is life given to the evil-doers? why do they become old and strong in power?
Therefore do the ungodly live, and grow old even in wealth?
8 Their children are ever with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
Their seed is according to [their] desire, and their children are in [their] sight.
9 Their houses are free from fear, and the rod of God does not come on them.
Their houses are prosperous, neither [have they] any where [cause for] fear, neither is there a scourge from the Lord upon them.
10 Their ox is ready at all times to give seed; their cow gives birth, without dropping her young.
Their cow does not cast her calf, and their [beast] with young is safe, and does not miscarry.
11 They send out their young ones like a flock, and their children have pleasure in the dance,
And they remain as an unfailing flock, and their children play before [them], taking up the lute and harp;
12 They make songs to the instruments of music, and are glad at the sound of the pipe.
and they rejoice at the voice of a song.
13 Their days come to an end without trouble, and suddenly they go down to the underworld. (Sheol h7585)
And they spend their days in wealth, and fall asleep in the rest of 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.
Yet [such a man] says to the Lord, Depart from me; I desire not to know your 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 Mighty One, that we should serve him? and what profit is there that we should approach him?
16 Truly, is not their well-being in their power? (The purpose of the evil-doers is far from me.)
For their good things were in [their] hands, but he regards not the works of the ungodly.
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?
Nevertheless, the lamp of the ungodly also shall be put out, and destruction shall come upon them, and pangs of vengeance shall seize them.
18 How frequently are they as dry stems before the wind, or as grass taken away by the storm-wind?
And they shall be as chaff before the wind, or as dust which the storm has taken up.
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!
Let his substance fail [to supply] his children: [God] shall recompense 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!
Let his eyes see his own destruction, and let him not be saved by the Lord.
21 For what interest has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is ended?
For his desire is in his house with him, and the number of his months has been suddenly cut off.
22 Is anyone able to give teaching to God? for he is the judge of those who are on high.
Is it not the Lord who teaches understanding and knowledge? and does not he judge murders?
23 One comes to his end in complete well-being, full of peace and quiet:
One shall die in his perfect strength, and wholly at ease and prosperous;
24 His buckets are full of milk, and there is no loss of strength in his bones.
and his inwards are full of fat, and his marrow is diffused [throughout him].
25 And another comes to his end with a bitter soul, without ever tasting good.
And another dies in bitterness of soul, not eating any good thing.
26 Together they go down to the dust, and are covered by the worm.
But they lie down in the earth together, and corruption covers them.
27 See, I am conscious of your thoughts, and of your violent purposes against me;
So I know you, that you presumptuously attack me:
28 For you say, Where is the house of the ruler, and where is the tent of the evil-doer?
so that you will say, Where is the house of the prince? and where is the covering of the tabernacles of the ungodly?
29 Have you not put the question to the travellers, and do you not take note of their experience?
Ask those that go by the way, and do not disown their tokens.
30 How the evil man goes free in the day of trouble, and has salvation in the day of wrath?
For the wicked hastens to the day of destruction: they shall be led away for the day of his vengeance.
31 Who will make his way clear to his face? and if he has done a thing, who gives him punishment for it?
Who will tell him his way to his face, whereas he has done [it]? who shall recompense him?
32 He is taken to his last resting-place, and keeps watch over it.
And he has been led away to the tombs, and he has watched over the heaps.
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 stones of the valley have been sweet to him, and every man shall depart after him, and [there are] innumerable [ones] 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 do you comfort me in vain? whereas I have no rest from your molestation.
