Job 21
1 Then Job responded by saying:
Then Job made answer and said,
2 I beseech you to hear my words and to do penance.
Give attention with care to my words; and let this be your comfort.
3 Permit me, and I will speak, and afterwards, if you see fit, you can laugh at my words.
Let me say what is in my mind, and after that, go on making sport of me.
4 Is my dispute against man, so that I would have no reason to be discouraged?
As for me, is my outcry against man? is it then to be wondered at if my spirit is troubled?
5 Listen to me and be astonished, and place a finger over your mouth.
Take note of me and be full of wonder, put your hand on your mouth.
6 As for me, when I think it over, I am afraid, and trembling convulses my body.
At the very thought of it my flesh is shaking with fear.
7 Why then do the impious live, having been lifted up and strengthened with riches?
Why is life given to the evil-doers? why do they become old and strong in power?
8 They see their offspring continue before them: a commotion of close relatives and of children’s children in their sight.
Their children are ever with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
9 Their houses have been secure and peaceable, and there is no staff of God over them.
Their houses are free from fear, and the rod of God does not come on them.
10 Their cattle have conceived and have not miscarried; their cow has given birth and is not deprived of her newborn.
Their ox is ready at all times to give seed; their cow gives birth, without dropping her young.
11 Their little ones go out like a flock, and their children jump around playfully.
They send out their young ones like a flock, and their children have pleasure in the dance,
12 They take up the timbrel and the lyre, and they rejoice at the sound of the organ.
They make songs to the instruments of music, and are glad at the sound of the pipe.
Their days come to an end without trouble, and suddenly they go down to the underworld. (Sheol h7585)
14 Who has said to God, “Depart from us, for we do not want the knowledge of your ways.
Though they said to God, Go away from us, for we have no desire for the knowledge of your ways.
15 Who is the Almighty that we should serve him? And how is it helpful to us if we pray to him?”
What is the Ruler of all, that we may give him worship? and what profit is it to us to make prayer to him?
16 It is true that their good things are not in their power. May the counsel of the impious be far from me!
Truly, is not their well-being in their power? (The purpose of the evil-doers is far from me.)
17 How often will the lamp of the wicked be extinguished, and a deluge overtake them, and how often will he distribute the afflictions of his wrath?
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?
18 They will be like chaff before the face of the wind, and like ashes that the whirlwind scatters.
How frequently are they as dry stems before the wind, or as grass taken away by the storm-wind?
19 God will preserve the grief of the father for his sons, and, when he repays, then he will understand.
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!
20 His eyes will see his own destruction, and he will drink from the wrath of the Almighty.
Let his eyes see his trouble, and let him be full of the wrath of the Ruler of all!
21 For what does he care what happens to his house after him, or if the number of its months are reduced by half?
For what interest has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is ended?
22 Can anyone teach holy knowledge to God, who judges the exalted?
Is anyone able to give teaching to God? for he is the judge of those who are on high.
23 This one dies strong and healthy, rich and happy.
One comes to his end in complete well-being, full of peace and quiet:
24 His gut is full of fat and his bones are moistened with marrow.
His buckets are full of milk, and there is no loss of strength in his bones.
25 In truth, another dies in bitterness of soul, without any resources.
And another comes to his end with a bitter soul, without ever tasting good.
26 And yet they will sleep together in the dust, and worms will cover them.
Together they go down to the dust, and are covered by the worm.
27 Surely, I know your thoughts and your sinful judgments against me.
See, I am conscious of your thoughts, and of your violent purposes against me;
28 For you say, “Where is the house of the ruler, and where are the tabernacles of the impious?”
For you say, Where is the house of the ruler, and where is the tent of the evil-doer?
29 Ask any passerby whom you wish, and you will realize that he understands these same things:
Have you not put the question to the travellers, and do you not take note of their experience?
30 that the evil-doer is reserved for the day of destruction, and he will be led to the day of wrath.
How the evil man goes free in the day of trouble, and has salvation in the day of wrath?
31 Who will reprove his way to his face, and who will repay him for what he has done?
Who will make his way clear to his face? and if he has done a thing, who gives him punishment for it?
32 He will be led to the tomb, and he will remain awake in the chaos of the dead.
He is taken to his last resting-place, and keeps watch over it.
33 He has been found acceptable to the banks of the River of Lamentation, and he will draw any man towards him, and there are countless before him.
The earth of the valley covering his bones is sweet to him, and all men come after him, as there were unnumbered before him.
34 Therefore, how long will you console me in vain, when your answer is shown to be repugnant to truth?
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?
