Job 21
1 Then Job responded by saying:
Then Job answered and said:
2 I beseech you to hear my words and to do penance.
Hear diligently my speech; and let this be your consolations.
3 Permit me, and I will speak, and afterwards, if you see fit, you can laugh at my words.
Suffer me, that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.
4 Is my dispute against man, so that I would have no reason to be discouraged?
As for me, is my complaint to man? Or why should I not be impatient?
5 Listen to me and be astonished, and place a finger over your mouth.
Turn unto me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.
6 As for me, when I think it over, I am afraid, and trembling convulses my body.
Even when I remember I am affrighted, and horror hath taketh hold on my flesh.
7 Why then do the impious live, having been lifted up and strengthened with riches?
Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, wax mighty in power?
8 They see their offspring continue before them: a commotion of close relatives and of children’s children in their sight.
Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
9 Their houses have been secure and peaceable, and there is no staff of God over them.
Their houses are safe, without fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.
10 Their cattle have conceived and have not miscarried; their cow has given birth and is not deprived of her newborn.
Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
11 Their little ones go out like a flock, and their children jump around playfully.
They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
12 They take up the timbrel and the lyre, and they rejoice at the sound of the organ.
They sing to the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe.
They spend their days in prosperity, and peacefully they go down to the grave. (Sheol h7585)
14 Who has said to God, “Depart from us, for we do not want the knowledge of your ways.
Yet they said unto God: 'Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of Thy ways.
15 Who is the Almighty that we should serve him? And how is it helpful to us if we pray to him?”
What is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit should we have, if we pray unto Him?' —
16 It is true that their good things are not in their power. May the counsel of the impious be far from me!
Lo, their prosperity is not in their hand; the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
17 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?
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?
18 They will be like chaff before the face of the wind, and like ashes that the whirlwind scatters.
That they are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm stealeth away?
19 God will preserve the grief of the father for his sons, and, when he repays, then he will understand.
'God layeth up his iniquity for his children!' — let Him recompense it unto himself, that he may know it.
20 His eyes will see his own destruction, and he will drink from the wrath of the Almighty.
Let his own eyes see his destruction, and let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
21 For what does he care what happens to his house after him, or if the number of its months are reduced by half?
For what pleasure hath he in his house after him? seeing the number of his months is determined.
22 Can anyone teach holy knowledge to God, who judges the exalted?
Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing it is He that judgeth those that are high.
23 This one dies strong and healthy, rich and happy.
One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet;
24 His gut is full of fat and his bones are moistened with marrow.
His pails are full of milk, and the marrow of his bones is moistened.
25 In truth, another dies in bitterness of soul, without any resources.
And another dieth in bitterness of soul, and hath never tasted of good.
26 And yet they will sleep together in the dust, and worms will cover them.
They lie down alike in the dust, and the worm covereth them.
27 Surely, I know your thoughts and your sinful judgments against me.
Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.
28 For you say, “Where is the house of the ruler, and where are the tabernacles of the impious?”
For ye say: 'Where is the house of the prince? And where is the tent wherein the wicked dwelt?'
29 Ask any passerby whom you wish, and you will realize that he understands these same things:
Have ye not asked them that go by the way; and will ye misdeem their tokens,
30 that the evil-doer is reserved for the day of destruction, and he will be led to the day of wrath.
That the evil man is reserved to the day of calamity, that they are led forth to the day of wrath?
31 Who will reprove his way to his face, and who will repay him for what he has done?
But who shall declare his way to his face? And who shall repay him what he hath done?
32 He will be led to the tomb, and he will remain awake in the chaos of the dead.
For he is borne to the grave, and watch is kept over his tomb.
33 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.
The clods of the valley are sweet unto him, and all men draw after him, as there were innumerable before him.
34 Therefore, how long will you console me in vain, when your answer is shown to be repugnant to truth?
How then comfort ye me in vain? And as for your answers, there remaineth only faithlessness?
