Job 21
1 Then Job answered, and said:
Job replied,
2 Hear, I beseech you, my words, and do penance.
“Please listen carefully to what I say—that would be one comfort you could give me.
3 Suffer me, and I will speak, and after, if you please, laugh at my words.
Bear with me; let me speak. After I've spoken you can resume mocking me.
4 Is my debate against man, that I should not have just reason to be troubled?
Am I complaining against people? Of course not. Why shouldn't I be impatient?
5 Hearken to me and be astonished, and lay your finger on your mouth.
Just take a look at me. Aren't you appalled? Cover your mouth with your hand in shock!
6 As for me, when I remember, I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.
Every time I think of what's happened to me I am horrified and I shake all over with fear.
7 Why then do the wicked live, are they advanced, and strengthened with riches?
Why do the wicked continue to live, to grow old and increasingly powerful?
8 Their seed continueth before them, a multitude of kinsmen, and of children’s children in their sight.
Their children are with them; they watch their grandchildren grow up.
9 Their houses are secure and peaceable, and the rod of God is not upon them.
They live in their homes in safety—they are not afraid. God does not use his rod to beat them.
10 Their cattle have conceived, and failed not: their cow has calved, and is not deprived of her fruit.
Their bulls always breed successfully; their cows give birth to calves and do not miscarry.
11 Their little ones go out like a flock, and their children dance and play.
They send out their little ones like lambs to play; their children dance around.
12 They take the timbrel, and the harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.
They sing accompanied by the tambourine and lyre; they celebrate with the music of the flute.
They live out their lives contentedly, and go down to Sheol in peace. (Sheol h7585)
14 Who have said to God: Depart from us, we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
Yet they tell God, ‘Get lost! We don't want anything to do with you.
15 Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what doth it profit us if we pray to him?
Who does the Almighty think he is for us to serve him as slaves? What benefit is there for us if we pray to him?’
16 Yet because their good things are not in their hand, may the counsel of the wicked be far from me.
Such people believe they make their own fortune, but I don't accept their way of thinking.
17 How often shall the lamp of the wicked be put out, and a deluge come upon them, and he shall distribute the sorrows of his wrath?
How often is the lamp of the wicked snuffed out? How often does disaster come upon them? How often does God punish the wicked in his anger?
18 They shall be as chaff before the face of the wind, and as ashes which the whirlwind scattereth.
Are they blown along like straw in the wind? Does a tornado come in and carry them away?
19 God shall lay up the sorrow of the father for his children: and when he shall repay, then shall he know.
Some say, ‘God saves up people's punishment for their children.’ But I say, ‘God should punish those people themselves so that they can learn from it.’
20 His eyes shall see his own destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
Let them see their destruction themselves, and drink deeply from God's anger.
21 For what is it to him what befalleth his house after him: and if the number of his months be diminished by one half?
For they don't care what happens to their families once they're dead.
22 Shall any one teach God knowledge, who judgeth those that are high?
Can anyone teach God anything he doesn't already know, since he is the one who judges even heavenly beings?
23 One man dieth strong, and hale, rich and happy.
One person dies in good health, totally comfortable and secure.
24 His bowels are full of fat, and his bones are moistened with marrow.
Their body is fat from eating well; their bones still strong.
25 But another dieth in bitterness of soul without any riches:
Another dies after a miserable life without every experiencing happiness.
26 And yet they shall sleep together in the dust, and worms shall cover them.
Yet they are both buried in the same dust; they are treated alike in death, eaten by maggots.
27 Surely I know your thoughts, and your unjust judgments against me.
Look, I know what you're thinking, and your schemes to do me wrong.
28 For you say: Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked?
You may ask me, ‘Where is the home of the great man? Where is the place where the wicked live?’
29 Ask any one of them that go by the way, and you shall perceive that he knoweth these same things.
Haven't you asked people who travel? Don't you pay attention to what they tell you?
30 Because the wicked man is reserved to the day of destruction, and he shall be brought to the day of wrath.
Wicked people are spared in times of disaster; they are rescued from the day of judgment.
31 Who shall reprove his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?
Who confronts them with their actions? Who pays them back for what they have done?
32 He shall be brought to the graves, and shall watch in the heap of the dead.
When they eventually die and are carried to the graveyard, their tomb is guarded. The earth of the grave softly covers them.
33 He hath been acceptable to the gravel of Cocytus, and he shall draw every man after him, and there are innumerable before him.
Everyone attends their funeral service; a huge procession of people comes to pay their last respects.
34 How then do ye comfort me in vain, whereas your answer is shewn to be repugnant to truth?
Why do you try to comfort me with worthless nonsense? Your answers are just a pack of lies!”
