Job 21
1 But Job answered and said,
Then Job responded by saying:
2 Hear you, hear you my words, that I may not have this consolation from you.
I beseech you to hear my words and to do penance.
3 Raise me, and I will speak; then you shall not laugh me to scorn.
Permit me, and I will speak, and afterwards, if you see fit, you can laugh at my words.
4 What! is my reproof of man? and why should I not be angry?
Is my dispute against man, so that I would have no reason to be discouraged?
5 Look upon me, and wonder, laying your hand upon your cheek.
Listen to me and be astonished, and place a finger over your mouth.
6 For even when I remember, I am alarmed, and pains seize my flesh.
As for me, when I think it over, I am afraid, and trembling convulses my body.
7 Therefore do the ungodly live, and grow old even in wealth?
Why then do the impious live, having been lifted up and strengthened with riches?
8 Their seed is according to [their] desire, and their children are in [their] sight.
They see their offspring continue before them: a commotion of close relatives and of children’s children in their sight.
9 Their houses are prosperous, neither [have they] any where [cause for] fear, neither is there a scourge from the Lord upon them.
Their houses have been secure and peaceable, and there is no staff of God over them.
10 Their cow does not cast her calf, and their [beast] with young is safe, and does not miscarry.
Their cattle have conceived and have not miscarried; their cow has given birth and is not deprived of her newborn.
11 And they remain as an unfailing flock, and their children play before [them], taking up the lute and harp;
Their little ones go out like a flock, and their children jump around playfully.
12 and they rejoice at the voice of a song.
They take up the timbrel and the lyre, and they rejoice at the sound of the organ.
Their days are prolonged in wealth, yet, in an instant, they descend into hell. (Sheol h7585)
14 Yet [such a man] says to the Lord, Depart from me; I desire not to know your ways.
Who has said to God, “Depart from us, for we do not want the knowledge of your ways.
15 What is the Mighty One, that we should serve him? and what profit is there that we should approach him?
Who is the Almighty that we should serve him? And how is it helpful to us if we pray to him?”
16 For their good things were in [their] hands, but he regards not the works of the ungodly.
It is true that their good things are not in their power. May the counsel of the impious be far from me!
17 Nevertheless, the lamp of the ungodly also shall be put out, and destruction shall come upon them, and pangs of vengeance shall seize them.
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?
18 And they shall be as chaff before the wind, or as dust which the storm has taken up.
They will be like chaff before the face of the wind, and like ashes that the whirlwind scatters.
19 Let his substance fail [to supply] his children: [God] shall recompense him, and he shall know it.
God will preserve the grief of the father for his sons, and, when he repays, then he will understand.
20 Let his eyes see his own destruction, and let him not be saved by the Lord.
His eyes will see his own destruction, and he will drink from the wrath of the Almighty.
21 For his desire is in his house with him, and the number of his months has been suddenly cut off.
For what does he care what happens to his house after him, or if the number of its months are reduced by half?
22 Is it not the Lord who teaches understanding and knowledge? and does not he judge murders?
Can anyone teach holy knowledge to God, who judges the exalted?
23 One shall die in his perfect strength, and wholly at ease and prosperous;
This one dies strong and healthy, rich and happy.
24 and his inwards are full of fat, and his marrow is diffused [throughout him].
His gut is full of fat and his bones are moistened with marrow.
25 And another dies in bitterness of soul, not eating any good thing.
In truth, another dies in bitterness of soul, without any resources.
26 But they lie down in the earth together, and corruption covers them.
And yet they will sleep together in the dust, and worms will cover them.
27 So I know you, that you presumptuously attack me:
Surely, I know your thoughts and your sinful judgments against me.
28 so that you will say, Where is the house of the prince? and where is the covering of the tabernacles of the ungodly?
For you say, “Where is the house of the ruler, and where are the tabernacles of the impious?”
29 Ask those that go by the way, and do not disown their tokens.
Ask any passerby whom you wish, and you will realize that he understands these same things:
30 For the wicked hastens to the day of destruction: they shall be led away for the day of his vengeance.
that the evil-doer is reserved for the day of destruction, and he will be led to the day of wrath.
31 Who will tell him his way to his face, whereas he has done [it]? who shall recompense him?
Who will reprove his way to his face, and who will repay him for what he has done?
32 And he has been led away to the tombs, and he has watched over the heaps.
He will be led to the tomb, and he will remain awake in the chaos of the dead.
33 The stones of the valley have been sweet to him, and every man shall depart after him, and [there are] innumerable [ones] before him.
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.
34 How then do you comfort me in vain? whereas I have no rest from your molestation.
Therefore, how long will you console me in vain, when your answer is shown to be repugnant to truth?
