Job 21
1 Job replied,
But Job answered and said:
2 “Please listen carefully to what I say—that would be one comfort you could give me.
Hear attentively my words, And let this be your consolation.
3 Bear with me; let me speak. After I've spoken you can resume mocking me.
Bear with me, that I may speak; And after I have spoken, mock on!
4 Am I complaining against people? Of course not. Why shouldn't I be impatient?
Is my complaint concerning man? Why then should I not be angry?
5 Just take a look at me. Aren't you appalled? Cover your mouth with your hand in shock!
Look upon me, and be astonished, And lay your hand upon your mouth!
6 Every time I think of what's happened to me I am horrified and I shake all over with fear.
When I think of it, I am confounded; Trembling taketh hold of my flesh.
7 Why do the wicked continue to live, to grow old and increasingly powerful?
Why is it that the wicked live, Grow old, yea, become mighty in substance?
8 Their children are with them; they watch their grandchildren grow up.
Their children are established in their sight 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 in peace, without fear, And the rod of God cometh not upon them.
10 Their bulls always breed successfully; their cows give birth to calves and do not miscarry.
Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; Their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
11 They send out their little ones like lambs to play; their children dance around.
They send forth their little ones like a flock, And their children dance.
12 They sing accompanied by the tambourine and lyre; they celebrate with the music of the flute.
They sing to the timbrel and harp, And rejoice at the sound of the pipe.
They spend their days in prosperity, And in a moment go down to the under-world. (Sheol h7585)
14 Yet they tell God, ‘Get lost! We don't want anything to do with you.
And yet they say unto God, “Depart from us! We desire not the knowledge of thy 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?’
Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what will it profit us, if we pray to him?”
16 Such people believe they make their own fortune, but I don't accept their way of thinking.
[[Ye say, ]] “Lo! their prosperity is not secure in their hands! Far from me be the conduct of the wicked!”
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 often is it, that the lamp of the wicked is put out? And that destruction cometh upon them, And that He dispenseth to them tribulations in his anger?
18 Are they blown along like straw in the wind? Does a tornado come in and carry them away?
How often are they as stubble before the wind, Or as chaff, which the whirlwind carrieth away?
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.’
“But” [[say ye]] “God layeth up his iniquity for his children.” Let him requite the offender, and let him feel it!
20 Let them see their destruction themselves, and drink deeply from God's anger.
Let his own eyes see his destruction, And let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty!
21 For they don't care what happens to their families once they're dead.
For what concern hath he for his household after him, When the number of his own months is completed?
22 Can anyone teach God anything he doesn't already know, since he is the one who judges even heavenly beings?
Who then shall impart knowledge to God, —To him that judgeth the highest?
23 One person dies in good health, totally comfortable and secure.
One dieth in the fulness of his prosperity, Being wholly at ease and quiet;
24 Their body is fat from eating well; their bones still strong.
His sides are full of fat, And his bones moist with marrow.
25 Another dies after a miserable life without every experiencing happiness.
Another dieth in bitterness of soul, And hath not tasted pleasure.
26 Yet they are both buried in the same dust; they are treated alike in death, eaten by maggots.
Alike they lie down in the dust, And the worms cover them.
27 Look, I know what you're thinking, and your schemes to do me wrong.
Behold, I know your thoughts, And the devices by which ye wrong me.
28 You may ask me, ‘Where is the home of the great man? Where is the place where the wicked live?’
For ye say, “Where is the house of the oppressor, And where the dwelling-places of the wicked?”
29 Haven't you asked people who travel? Don't you pay attention to what they tell you?
Have ye never inquired of travellers, And do ye not know their tokens,
30 Wicked people are spared in times of disaster; they are rescued from the day of judgment.
That the wicked is spared in the day of destruction, And that he is borne to his grave in the day of wrath?
31 Who confronts them with their actions? Who pays them back for what they have done?
Who will charge him with his conduct to his face, And who will requite him for the evil he hath done?
32 When they eventually die and are carried to the graveyard, their tomb is guarded. The earth of the grave softly covers them.
Even this man is borne with honor to the grave; Yea, he watcheth over his tomb.
33 Everyone attends their funeral service; a huge procession of people comes to pay their last respects.
Sweet to him are the sods of the valley: And all men move after him, As multitudes without number before him.
34 Why do you try to comfort me with worthless nonsense? Your answers are just a pack of lies!”
Why then do ye offer your vain consolations? Your answers continue false.
