Job 21
1 Then Job answered and said:
Then Job made answer and said,
2 Hear diligently my speech; and let this be your consolations.
Give attention with care to my words; and let this be your comfort.
3 Suffer me, that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.
Let me say what is in my mind, and after that, go on making sport of me.
4 As for me, is my complaint to man? Or why should I not be impatient?
As for me, is my outcry against man? is it then to be wondered at if my spirit is troubled?
5 Turn unto me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.
Take note of me and be full of wonder, put your hand on your mouth.
6 Even when I remember I am affrighted, and horror hath taketh hold on my flesh.
At the very thought of it my flesh is shaking with fear.
7 Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, wax mighty in power?
Why is life given to the evil-doers? why do they become old and strong in power?
8 Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
Their children are ever with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
9 Their houses are safe, without fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.
Their houses are free from fear, and the rod of God does not come on them.
10 Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
Their ox is ready at all times to give seed; their cow gives birth, without dropping her young.
11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
They send out their young ones like a flock, and their children have pleasure in the dance,
12 They sing to the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe.
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 said unto God: 'Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of Thy ways.
Though they said to God, Go away from us, for we have no desire for the knowledge of your ways.
15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit should we have, if we pray unto 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 Lo, their prosperity is not in their hand; the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
Truly, is not their well-being in their power? (The purpose of the evil-doers is far from me.)
17 How oft is it that the lamp of the wicked is put out? that their calamity cometh upon them? that He distributeth pains 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 That they are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm stealeth away?
How frequently are they as dry stems before the wind, or as grass taken away by the storm-wind?
19 'God layeth up his iniquity for his children!' — let Him recompense it unto himself, that he may know 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 his own eyes see his destruction, and let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
Let his eyes see his trouble, and let him be full of the wrath of the Ruler of all!
21 For what pleasure hath he in his house after him? seeing the number of his months is determined.
For what interest has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is ended?
22 Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing it is He that judgeth those that are high.
Is anyone able to give teaching to God? for he is the judge of those who are on high.
23 One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet;
One comes to his end in complete well-being, full of peace and quiet:
24 His pails are full of milk, and the marrow of his bones is moistened.
His buckets are full of milk, and there is no loss of strength in his bones.
25 And another dieth in bitterness of soul, and hath never tasted of good.
And another comes to his end with a bitter soul, without ever tasting good.
26 They lie down alike in the dust, and the worm covereth them.
Together they go down to the dust, and are covered by the worm.
27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.
See, I am conscious of your thoughts, and of your violent purposes against me;
28 For ye say: 'Where is the house of the prince? And where is the tent wherein the wicked dwelt?'
For you say, Where is the house of the ruler, and where is the tent of the evil-doer?
29 Have ye not asked them that go by the way; and will ye misdeem their tokens,
Have you not put the question to the travellers, and do you not take note of their experience?
30 That the evil man is reserved to the day of calamity, that they are led forth to the day of wrath?
How the evil man goes free in the day of trouble, and has salvation in the day of wrath?
31 But who shall declare his way to his face? And who shall repay him what he hath done?
Who will make his way clear to his face? and if he has done a thing, who gives him punishment for it?
32 For he is borne to the grave, and watch is kept over his tomb.
He is taken to his last resting-place, and keeps watch over it.
33 The clods of the valley are sweet unto him, and all men draw after him, as there were innumerable before him.
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 How then comfort ye me in vain? And as for your answers, there remaineth only faithlessness?
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?
