Job 21
1 Job replied,
Then Job made answer and said,
2 “Please listen carefully to what I say—that would be one comfort you could give me.
Give attention with care to my words; and let this be your comfort.
3 Bear with me; let me speak. After I've spoken you can resume mocking me.
Let me say what is in my mind, and after that, go on making sport of me.
4 Am I complaining against people? Of course not. Why shouldn't I be impatient?
As for me, is my outcry against man? is it then to be wondered at if my spirit is troubled?
5 Just take a look at me. Aren't you appalled? Cover your mouth with your hand in shock!
Take note of me and be full of wonder, put your hand on your mouth.
6 Every time I think of what's happened to me I am horrified and I shake all over with fear.
At the very thought of it my flesh is shaking with fear.
7 Why do the wicked continue to live, to grow old and increasingly powerful?
Why is life given to the evil-doers? why do they become old and strong in power?
8 Their children are with them; they watch their grandchildren grow up.
Their children are ever with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
9 They live in their homes in safety—they are not afraid. God does not use his rod to beat them.
Their houses are free from fear, and the rod of God does not come on them.
10 Their bulls always breed successfully; their cows give birth to calves and do not miscarry.
Their ox is ready at all times to give seed; their cow gives birth, without dropping her young.
11 They send out their little ones like lambs to play; their children dance around.
They send out their young ones like a flock, and their children have pleasure in the dance,
12 They sing accompanied by the tambourine and lyre; they celebrate with the music of the flute.
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 Yet they tell God, ‘Get lost! We don't want anything to do with you.
Though they said to God, Go away from us, for we have no desire for the knowledge of your ways.
15 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?’
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 Such people believe they make their own fortune, but I don't accept their way of thinking.
Truly, is not their well-being in their power? (The purpose of the evil-doers is far from me.)
17 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?
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 Are they blown along like straw in the wind? Does a tornado come in and carry them away?
How frequently are they as dry stems before the wind, or as grass taken away by the storm-wind?
19 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.’
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 Let them see their destruction themselves, and drink deeply from God's anger.
Let his eyes see his trouble, and let him be full of the wrath of the Ruler of all!
21 For they don't care what happens to their families once they're dead.
For what interest has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is ended?
22 Can anyone teach God anything he doesn't already know, since he is the one who judges even heavenly beings?
Is anyone able to give teaching to God? for he is the judge of those who are on high.
23 One person dies in good health, totally comfortable and secure.
One comes to his end in complete well-being, full of peace and quiet:
24 Their body is fat from eating well; their bones still strong.
His buckets are full of milk, and there is no loss of strength in his bones.
25 Another dies after a miserable life without every experiencing happiness.
And another comes to his end with a bitter soul, without ever tasting good.
26 Yet they are both buried in the same dust; they are treated alike in death, eaten by maggots.
Together they go down to the dust, and are covered by the worm.
27 Look, I know what you're thinking, and your schemes to do me wrong.
See, I am conscious of your thoughts, and of your violent purposes against me;
28 You may ask me, ‘Where is the home of the great man? Where is the place where the wicked live?’
For you say, Where is the house of the ruler, and where is the tent of the evil-doer?
29 Haven't you asked people who travel? Don't you pay attention to what they tell you?
Have you not put the question to the travellers, and do you not take note of their experience?
30 Wicked people are spared in times of disaster; they are rescued from the day of judgment.
How the evil man goes free in the day of trouble, and has salvation in the day of wrath?
31 Who confronts them with their actions? Who pays them back for what they have done?
Who will make his way clear to his face? and if he has done a thing, who gives him punishment for it?
32 When they eventually die and are carried to the graveyard, their tomb is guarded. The earth of the grave softly covers them.
He is taken to his last resting-place, and keeps watch over it.
33 Everyone attends their funeral service; a huge procession of people comes to pay their last respects.
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 Why do you try to comfort me with worthless nonsense? Your answers are just a pack of lies!”
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?
