Job 21

1But Job answered and said,

2Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations.

3Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.

4As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled?footnote a

5Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.footnote b

6Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.

7Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?

8Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.

9Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.footnote c

10Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.

11They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.

12They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.

13They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.footnote d

14Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.

15What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?

16Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.

17How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.footnote e

18They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.footnote f

19God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it.footnote g

20His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.

21For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?

22Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high.

23One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.footnote h

24His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.footnote i

25And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.

26They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.

27Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.

28For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked?footnote j

29Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens,

30That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.footnote k

31Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?

32Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.footnote lfootnote m

33The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him.

34How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?footnote n

Job: God Will Punish the Wicked

1Then Job answered:

2“Listen carefully to my words;let this be your consolation to me. 3Bear with me while I speak;then, after I have spoken, you may go on mocking.

4Is my complaint against a man?Then why should I not be impatient? 5Look at me and be appalled;put your hand over your mouth. 6When I remember, terror takes hold,and my body trembles in horror. 7Why do the wicked live on,growing old and increasing in power? 8Their descendants are established around them,and their offspring before their eyes. 9Their homes are safe from fear;no rod of punishment from God is upon them. 10Their bulls breed without fail;their cows bear calves and do not miscarry. 11They send forth their little ones like a flock;their children skip about, 12singing to the tambourine and lyreand making merry at the sound of the flute. 13They spend their days in prosperityand go down to Sheol in peace.footnote a 14Yet they say to God: ‘Leave us alone!For we have no desire to know Your ways. 15Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him,and what would we gain if we pray to Him?’ 16Still, their prosperity is not in their own hands,so I stay far from the counsel of the wicked.

17How often is the lamp of the wicked put out?Does disaster come upon them?Does God, in His anger, apportion destruction? 18Are they like straw before the wind,like chaff swept away by a storm? 19It is said that God lays up one’s punishment for his children.Let God repay the man himself, so he will know it. 20Let his eyes see his own destruction;let him drink for himself the wrath of the Almighty. 21For what does he care about his household after him,when the number of his months has run out?

22Can anyone teach knowledge to God,since He judges those on high? 23One man dies full of vigor,completely secure and at ease. 24His body is well nourished,footnote band his bones are rich with marrow. 25Yet another man dies in the bitterness of his soul,having never tasted prosperity. 26But together they lie down in the dust,and worms cover them both.

27Behold, I know your thoughts full well,the schemes by which you would wrong me. 28For you say, ‘Where now is the nobleman’s house,and where are the tents in which the wicked dwell?’ 29Have you never asked those who travel the roads?Do you not accept their reports? 30Indeed, the evil man is spared from the day of calamity,delivered from the day of wrath. 31Who denounces his behavior to his face?Who repays him for what he has done? 32He is carried to the grave,and watch is kept over his tomb. 33The clods of the valley are sweet to him;everyone follows behind him,and those before him are without number.

34So how can you comfort me with empty words?For your answers remain full of falsehood.”