Job 21
1 But Job answered and said,
Job replied,
2 Hear you, hear you my words, that I may not have this consolation from you.
“Please listen carefully to what I say—that would be one comfort you could give me.
3 Raise me, and I will speak; then you shall not laugh me to scorn.
Bear with me; let me speak. After I've spoken you can resume mocking me.
4 What! is my reproof of man? and why should I not be angry?
Am I complaining against people? Of course not. Why shouldn't I be impatient?
5 Look upon me, and wonder, laying your hand upon your cheek.
Just take a look at me. Aren't you appalled? Cover your mouth with your hand in shock!
6 For even when I remember, I am alarmed, and pains seize my flesh.
Every time I think of what's happened to me I am horrified and I shake all over with fear.
7 Therefore do the ungodly live, and grow old even in wealth?
Why do the wicked continue to live, to grow old and increasingly powerful?
8 Their seed is according to [their] desire, and their children are in [their] sight.
Their children are with them; they watch their grandchildren grow up.
9 Their houses are prosperous, neither [have they] any where [cause for] fear, neither is there a scourge from the Lord upon them.
They live in their homes in safety—they are not afraid. God does not use his rod to beat them.
10 Their cow does not cast her calf, and their [beast] with young is safe, and does not miscarry.
Their bulls always breed successfully; their cows give birth to calves and do not miscarry.
11 And they remain as an unfailing flock, and their children play before [them], taking up the lute and harp;
They send out their little ones like lambs to play; their children dance around.
12 and they rejoice at the voice of a song.
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 Yet [such a man] says to the Lord, Depart from me; I desire not to know your ways.
Yet they tell God, ‘Get lost! We don't want anything to do with you.
15 What is the Mighty One, that we should serve him? and what profit is there that we should approach 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 For their good things were in [their] hands, but he regards not the works of the ungodly.
Such people believe they make their own fortune, but I don't accept their way of thinking.
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 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 And they shall be as chaff before the wind, or as dust which the storm has taken up.
Are they blown along like straw in the wind? Does a tornado come in and carry them away?
19 Let his substance fail [to supply] his children: [God] shall recompense him, and he shall know it.
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 Let his eyes see his own destruction, and let him not be saved by the Lord.
Let them see their destruction themselves, and drink deeply from God's anger.
21 For his desire is in his house with him, and the number of his months has been suddenly cut off.
For they don't care what happens to their families once they're dead.
22 Is it not the Lord who teaches understanding and knowledge? and does not he judge murders?
Can anyone teach God anything he doesn't already know, since he is the one who judges even heavenly beings?
23 One shall die in his perfect strength, and wholly at ease and prosperous;
One person dies in good health, totally comfortable and secure.
24 and his inwards are full of fat, and his marrow is diffused [throughout him].
Their body is fat from eating well; their bones still strong.
25 And another dies in bitterness of soul, not eating any good thing.
Another dies after a miserable life without every experiencing happiness.
26 But they lie down in the earth together, and corruption covers them.
Yet they are both buried in the same dust; they are treated alike in death, eaten by maggots.
27 So I know you, that you presumptuously attack me:
Look, I know what you're thinking, and your schemes to do me wrong.
28 so that you will say, Where is the house of the prince? and where is the covering of the tabernacles of the ungodly?
You may ask me, ‘Where is the home of the great man? Where is the place where the wicked live?’
29 Ask those that go by the way, and do not disown their tokens.
Haven't you asked people who travel? Don't you pay attention to what they tell you?
30 For the wicked hastens to the day of destruction: they shall be led away for the day of his vengeance.
Wicked people are spared in times of disaster; they are rescued from the day of judgment.
31 Who will tell him his way to his face, whereas he has done [it]? who shall recompense him?
Who confronts them with their actions? Who pays them back for what they have done?
32 And he has been led away to the tombs, and he has watched over the heaps.
When they eventually die and are carried to the graveyard, their tomb is guarded. The earth of the grave softly covers them.
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.
Everyone attends their funeral service; a huge procession of people comes to pay their last respects.
34 How then do you comfort me in vain? whereas I have no rest from your molestation.
Why do you try to comfort me with worthless nonsense? Your answers are just a pack of lies!”
