Job 21
1 But Job answered and said,
Then answered Job, and said,
2 Hear ye, hear ye my words, that I may not have this consolation from you.
Hear, O hear my speech, and let this be wherewith you give consolations.
3 Raise me, and I will speak; then ye shall not laugh me to scorn.
Bear with me that I may indeed speak: and after my speaking, then canst thou mock.
4 What! is my reproof of man? and why should I not be angry?
As for me, —is against man my complaint? and if this be so, why should my spirit not be impatient?
5 Look upon me, and wonder, laying your hand upon your cheek.
Turn yourselves unto me, and be astounded, and lay your hand upon your mouth.
6 For even when I remember, I am alarmed, and pains seize my flesh.
Yea, when I think of it, I am terrified, and shuddering seizeth hold of my flesh.
7 Wherefore do the ungodly live, and grow old even in wealth?
Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, grow strong in power?
8 Their seed is according to [their] desire, and their children are in [their] sight.
Their seed is firmly established in their presence with them. their offspring are before their eyes.
9 Their houses are prosperous, neither [have they] any where [cause for] fear, neither is there a scourge from the Lord upon them.
Their houses are at peace without any dread, and no rod of God [cometh] over them.
10 Their cow does not cast her calf, and their [beast] with young is safe, and does not miscarry.
The bull of each one gendereth, and disappointeth not: the cow of each one calveth, and casteth not her young.
11 And they remain as an unfailing flock, and their children play before [them], taking up the psaltery and harp;
They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children skip about [with joy].
12 and they rejoice at the voice of a song.
They sing to the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe.
They wear out their days in happiness, and in a moment they go down to the nether world. (Sheol h7585)
14 Yet [such a man] says to the Lord, Depart from me; I desire not to know thy ways.
And yet they say unto God, “Depart from us; and the knowledge of thy ways we desire not.
15 What is the Mighty One, that we should serve him? and what profit is there that we should approach him?
What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit shall we have, if we entreat him urgently?”
16 For their good things were in [their] hands, but he regards not the works of the ungodly.
Lo, not in their hand doth their happiness rest! The counsel of the wicked be [still] far from me.
17 Nevertheless, the lamp of the ungodly also shall be put out, and destruction shall come upon them, and pangs of vengeance shall seize them.
How often is the lamp of the wicked quenched? and how often cometh over them their calamity? and doth [God] distribute their lot in his anger?
18 And they shall be as chaff before the wind, or as dust which the storm has taken up.
Are they as straw before the wind, and as chaff which the stealeth away?
19 Let his substance fail [to supply] his children: [God] shall recompense him, and he shall know it.
Should God lay up for his children his wrong-doing? it were better that he reward him, that he might know it himself.
20 Let his eyes see his own destruction, and let him not be saved by the Lord.
His own eyes ought to see his downfall, and from the wrath of the Almighty ought he to drink.
21 For his desire is in his house with him, and the number of his months has been suddenly cut off.
For what care hath he for his household after him, when the number of his months is all apportioned to him?
22 Is it not the Lord who teaches understanding and knowledge? and does not he judge murders?
Is this fitting God, who teacheth knowledge? him who judgeth those that are highest?
23 One shall die in his perfect strength, and wholly at ease and prosperous;
That this one dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet;
24 and his inwards are full of fat, and his marrow is diffused [throughout him].
His vessels being full of healthy fluid, and the marrow of his bones being well moistened:
25 And another dies in bitterness of soul, not eating any good thing.
While this other dieth with an embittered soul, and hath never partaken of any happiness;
26 But they lie down in the earth together, and corruption covers them.
[And yet] together they must lie down in the dust, and the worms will cover them?
27 So I know you, that ye presumptuously attack me:
Behold, I know your thoughts, and the opinions which ye wrongfully devise against me.
28 so that ye will say, Where is the house of the prince? and where is the covering of the tabernacles of the ungodly?
For ye say, Where is the house of the noble-minded? and where is the tent of the dwelling-places of the wicked?
29 Ask those that go by the way, and do not disown their tokens.
Have ye not asked the wayfarers? surely their token ye cannot disregard,
30 For the wicked hastens to the day of destruction: they shall be led away for the day of his vengeance.
That the bad man is reserved for the day of calamity, [that the wicked] are carried forward to the day of wrath.
31 Who will tell him his way to his face, whereas he has done [it]? who shall recompense him?
[But] who will tell him to his face of his way? and who will repay him what he hath done?
32 And he has been led away to the tombs, and he has watched over the heaps.
Yea he will indeed be carried to the grave, and men will quickly think of his monument:
33 The stones of the valley have been sweet to him, and every man shall depart after him, and [there are] innumerable [ones] before him.
Sweet are to him the clods of the valley; and after him succeedeth every man, as those that were before him are without number.
34 How then do ye comfort me in vain? whereas I have no rest from your molestation.
How then will ye comfort me with vanity? and of your answers there remaineth only deception.
