Job 21
1 Then Job responded by saying:
But Job answered and said,
2 I beseech you to hear my words and to do penance.
Hear you, hear you my words, that I may not have this consolation from you.
3 Permit me, and I will speak, and afterwards, if you see fit, you can laugh at my words.
Raise me, and I will speak; then you shall not laugh me to scorn.
4 Is my dispute against man, so that I would have no reason to be discouraged?
What! is my reproof of man? and why should I not be angry?
5 Listen to me and be astonished, and place a finger over your mouth.
Look upon me, and wonder, laying your hand upon your cheek.
6 As for me, when I think it over, I am afraid, and trembling convulses my body.
For even when I remember, I am alarmed, and pains seize my flesh.
7 Why then do the impious live, having been lifted up and strengthened with riches?
Therefore do the ungodly live, and grow old even in wealth?
8 They see their offspring continue before them: a commotion of close relatives and of children’s children in their sight.
Their seed is according to [their] desire, and their children are in [their] sight.
9 Their houses have been secure and peaceable, and there is no staff of God over 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 cattle have conceived and have not miscarried; their cow has given birth and is not deprived of her newborn.
Their cow does not cast her calf, and their [beast] with young is safe, and does not miscarry.
11 Their little ones go out like a flock, and their children jump around playfully.
And they remain as an unfailing flock, and their children play before [them], taking up the lute and harp;
12 They take up the timbrel and the lyre, and they rejoice at the sound of the organ.
and they rejoice at the voice of a song.
And they spend their days in wealth, and fall asleep in the rest of the grave. (Sheol h7585)
14 Who has said to God, “Depart from us, for we do not want the knowledge of your ways.
Yet [such a man] says to the Lord, Depart from me; I desire not to know 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 Mighty One, that we should serve him? and what profit is there that we should approach him?
16 It is true that their good things are not in their power. May the counsel of the impious be far from me!
For their good things were in [their] hands, but he regards not the works of the ungodly.
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?
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 They will be like chaff before the face of the wind, and like ashes that the whirlwind scatters.
And they shall be as chaff before the wind, or as dust which the storm has taken up.
19 God will preserve the grief of the father for his sons, and, when he repays, then he will understand.
Let his substance fail [to supply] his children: [God] shall recompense him, and he shall know it.
20 His eyes will see his own destruction, and he will drink from the wrath of the Almighty.
Let his eyes see his own destruction, and let him not be saved by the Lord.
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 his desire is in his house with him, and the number of his months has been suddenly cut off.
22 Can anyone teach holy knowledge to God, who judges the exalted?
Is it not the Lord who teaches understanding and knowledge? and does not he judge murders?
23 This one dies strong and healthy, rich and happy.
One shall die in his perfect strength, and wholly at ease and prosperous;
24 His gut is full of fat and his bones are moistened with marrow.
and his inwards are full of fat, and his marrow is diffused [throughout him].
25 In truth, another dies in bitterness of soul, without any resources.
And another dies in bitterness of soul, not eating any good thing.
26 And yet they will sleep together in the dust, and worms will cover them.
But they lie down in the earth together, and corruption covers them.
27 Surely, I know your thoughts and your sinful judgments against me.
So I know you, that you presumptuously attack me:
28 For you say, “Where is the house of the ruler, and where are the tabernacles of the impious?”
so that you will say, Where is the house of the prince? and where is the covering of the tabernacles of the ungodly?
29 Ask any passerby whom you wish, and you will realize that he understands these same things:
Ask those that go by the way, and do not disown their tokens.
30 that the evil-doer is reserved for the day of destruction, and he will be led to 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 reprove his way to his face, and who will repay him for what he has done?
Who will tell him his way to his face, whereas he has done [it]? who shall recompense him?
32 He will be led to the tomb, and he will remain awake in the chaos of the dead.
And he has been led away to the tombs, and he has watched over the heaps.
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 stones of the valley have been sweet to him, and every man shall depart after him, and [there are] innumerable [ones] before him.
34 Therefore, how long will you console me in vain, when your answer is shown to be repugnant to truth?
How then do you comfort me in vain? whereas I have no rest from your molestation.
