Job 21
1 Then Job made answer and said,
Then Job answered,
2 Give attention with care to my words; and let this be your comfort.
"Listen diligently to my speech. Let this be your consolation.
3 Let me say what is in my mind, and after that, go on making sport of me.
Allow me, and I also will speak; After 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? Why shouldn't I be impatient?
5 Take note of me and be full of wonder, put your hand on your mouth.
Look at me, and be astonished. Lay your hand on your mouth.
6 At the very thought of it my flesh is shaking with fear.
When I remember, I am troubled. Horror takes hold of my flesh.
7 Why is life given to the evil-doers? why do they become old and strong in power?
"Why do the wicked live, become old, yes, and grow mighty in power?
8 Their children are ever with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
Their child is established with them in their sight, 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 bulls breed without fail. Their cows calve, and do not miscarry.
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. Their children dance.
12 They make songs to the instruments of music, and are glad at the sound of the pipe.
They sing to the tambourine and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe.
13 Their days come to an end without trouble, and suddenly they go down to the underworld. (Sheol h7585)
They spend their days in prosperity. In an instant they go down to Sheol. (Sheol h7585)
14 Though they said to God, Go away from us, for we have no desire for the knowledge of your ways.
They tell God, 'Depart from us, for we do not want to know about 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 Shaddai, that we should serve him? What profit should we have, if we pray to him?'
16 Truly, is not their well-being in their power? (The purpose of the evil-doers is far from me.)
Look, their prosperity 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 often is it that the lamp of the wicked is put out, that their calamity comes on them, that he distributes sorrows in his anger?
18 How frequently are they as dry stems before the wind, or as grass taken away by the storm-wind?
How often is it that they are as stubble before the wind, as chaff that the storm carries 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!
You say, 'God lays up his iniquity for his children.' Let him recompense it to himself, that he may know it.
20 Let his eyes see his trouble, and let him be full of the wrath of the Ruler of all!
Let his own eyes see his destruction. Let him drink of the wrath of Shaddai.
21 For what interest has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is ended?
For what does he care for his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off?
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 judges those who are high?
23 One comes to his end in complete well-being, full of peace and quiet:
One dies 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 pails are full of milk. The marrow of his bones is moistened.
25 And another comes to his end with a bitter soul, without ever tasting good.
Another dies in bitterness of soul, and never tastes of good.
26 Together they go down to the dust, and are covered by the worm.
They lie down alike in the dust. The worm covers them.
27 See, I am conscious of your thoughts, and of your violent purposes against me;
"Look, I know your thoughts, the devices with which you would wrong me.
28 For you say, Where is the house of the ruler, and where is the tent of the evil-doer?
For you say, 'Where is the house of the prince? Where is the tent in which the wicked lived?'
29 Have you not put the question to the travellers, and do you not take note of their experience?
Haven't you asked wayfaring men? Do you not know their evidences,
30 How the evil man goes free in the day of trouble, and has salvation in the day of wrath?
that the evil man is reserved to the day of calamity, That they are led 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? Who shall repay him what he has done?
32 He is taken to his last resting-place, and keeps watch over it.
Yet he will be borne to the grave. Men shall keep watch over 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 to him. All men shall draw after him, as there were 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?
So how can you comfort me with nonsense, seeing that in your answers there remains only falsehood?"
