Job 21
1 But Job answered and said,
But Job answered and said:
2 Hear you, hear you my words, that I may not have this consolation from you.
Hear attentively my words, And let this be your consolation.
3 Raise me, and I will speak; then you shall not laugh me to scorn.
Bear with me, that I may speak; And after I have spoken, mock on!
4 What! is my reproof of man? and why should I not be angry?
Is my complaint concerning man? Why then should I not be angry?
5 Look upon me, and wonder, laying your hand upon your cheek.
Look upon me, and be astonished, And lay your hand upon your mouth!
6 For even when I remember, I am alarmed, and pains seize my flesh.
When I think of it, I am confounded; Trembling taketh hold of my flesh.
7 Therefore do the ungodly live, and grow old even in wealth?
Why is it that the wicked live, Grow old, yea, become mighty in substance?
8 Their seed is according to [their] desire, and their children are in [their] sight.
Their children are established in their sight with them, And their offspring before their eyes.
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 are in peace, without fear, And the rod of God cometh not upon them.
10 Their cow does not cast her calf, and their [beast] with young is safe, and does not miscarry.
Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; Their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
11 And they remain as an unfailing flock, and their children play before [them], taking up the lute and harp;
They send forth their little ones like a flock, And their children dance.
12 and they rejoice at the voice of a song.
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 [such a man] says to the Lord, Depart from me; I desire not to know your ways.
And yet they say unto God, “Depart from us! We desire not the knowledge of thy 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 what will it profit us, if we pray to him?”
16 For their good things were in [their] hands, but he regards not the works of the ungodly.
[[Ye say, ]] “Lo! their prosperity is not secure in their hands! Far from me be the conduct of the wicked!”
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 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 And they shall be as chaff before the wind, or as dust which the storm has taken up.
How often are they as stubble before the wind, Or as chaff, which the whirlwind carrieth away?
19 Let his substance fail [to supply] his children: [God] shall recompense him, and he shall know it.
“But” [[say ye]] “God layeth up his iniquity for his children.” Let him requite the offender, and let him feel it!
20 Let his eyes see his own destruction, and let him not be saved by the Lord.
Let his own eyes see his destruction, And let him drink of 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 concern hath he for his household after him, When the number of his own months is completed?
22 Is it not the Lord who teaches understanding and knowledge? and does not he judge murders?
Who then shall impart knowledge to God, —To him that judgeth the highest?
23 One shall die in his perfect strength, and wholly at ease and prosperous;
One dieth in the fulness of his prosperity, Being wholly at ease and quiet;
24 and his inwards are full of fat, and his marrow is diffused [throughout him].
His sides are full of fat, And his bones moist with marrow.
25 And another dies in bitterness of soul, not eating any good thing.
Another dieth in bitterness of soul, And hath not tasted pleasure.
26 But they lie down in the earth together, and corruption covers them.
Alike they lie down in the dust, And the worms cover them.
27 So I know you, that you presumptuously attack me:
Behold, I know your thoughts, And the devices by which ye wrong 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 ye say, “Where is the house of the oppressor, And where the dwelling-places of the wicked?”
29 Ask those that go by the way, and do not disown their tokens.
Have ye never inquired of travellers, And do ye not know their tokens,
30 For the wicked hastens to the day of destruction: they shall be led away for the day of his vengeance.
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 will tell him his way to his face, whereas he has done [it]? who shall recompense him?
Who will charge him with his conduct to his face, And who will requite him for the evil he hath done?
32 And he has been led away to the tombs, and he has watched over the heaps.
Even this man is borne with honor to the grave; Yea, he watcheth over his tomb.
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.
Sweet to him are the sods of the valley: And all men move after him, As multitudes without number before him.
34 How then do you comfort me in vain? whereas I have no rest from your molestation.
Why then do ye offer your vain consolations? Your answers continue false.
