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 attentively my words, And let this be your consolation.
3 Let me say what is in my mind, and after that, go on making sport of me.
Bear with me, that I may speak; And 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?
Is my complaint concerning man? Why then 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 be astonished, And lay your hand upon your mouth!
6 At the very thought of it my flesh is shaking with fear.
When I think of it, I am confounded; Trembling taketh hold of my flesh.
7 Why is life given to the evil-doers? why do they become old and strong in power?
Why is it that the wicked live, Grow old, yea, become mighty in substance?
8 Their children are ever with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
Their children are 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 in peace, without fear, And the rod of God cometh not 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 sing to the timbrel 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, And in a moment go down to the under-world. (Sheol h7585)
14 Though they said to God, Go away from us, for we have no desire for the knowledge of your ways.
And yet they say unto God, “Depart from us! 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?
Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what will it profit us, 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.)
[[Ye say, ]] “Lo! their prosperity is not secure in their hands! Far from me be the conduct of the wicked!”
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? And that destruction cometh upon them, And that He dispenseth to them tribulations 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 are they as stubble before the wind, Or as chaff, which the whirlwind 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!
“But” [[say ye]] “God layeth up his iniquity for his children.” Let him requite the offender, and let him feel 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, And let him 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 concern hath he for his household after him, When the number of his own months is completed?
22 Is anyone able to give teaching to God? for he is the judge of those who are on high.
Who then shall impart knowledge to God, —To him that judgeth the highest?
23 One comes to his end in complete well-being, full of peace and quiet:
One dieth in the fulness of his prosperity, Being wholly at ease and quiet;
24 His buckets are full of milk, and there is no loss of strength in his bones.
His sides are full of fat, And his bones moist with marrow.
25 And another comes to his end with a bitter soul, without ever tasting good.
Another dieth in bitterness of soul, And hath not tasted pleasure.
26 Together they go down to the dust, and are covered by the worm.
Alike they lie down in the dust, And the worms 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 by which ye wrong 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 oppressor, And where 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 never inquired of travellers, 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 spared in the day of destruction, And that he is borne to his grave in 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 will charge him with his conduct to his face, And who will requite him for the evil he hath done?
32 He is taken to his last resting-place, and keeps watch over it.
Even this man is borne with honor to the grave; Yea, he watcheth over his 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.
Sweet to him are the sods of the valley: And all men move after him, As multitudes without number 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?
Why then do ye offer your vain consolations? Your answers continue false.
