Job 21

1Then Job made answer and said,

1And Job answered and said,

2Give attention with care to my words; and let this be your comfort.

2Hear attentively my speech, and let this replace your consolations.

3Let me say what is in my mind, and after that, go on making sport of me.

3Suffer me and I will speak; and after I have spoken, mock on!

4As for me, is my outcry against man? is it then to be wondered at if my spirit is troubled?

4As for me, is my complaint to a man? or wherefore should not my spirit be impatient?

5Take note of me and be full of wonder, put your hand on your mouth.

5Mark me, and be astonished, and lay the hand upon the mouth.

6At the very thought of it my flesh is shaking with fear.

6Even when I think [thereon], I am affrighted, and trembling taketh hold of my flesh.

7Why is life given to the evil-doers? why do they become old and strong in power?

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

8Their children are ever with them, and their offspring before their eyes.

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

9Their houses are free from fear, and the rod of God does not come on them.

9Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod ofGod upon them.

10Their ox is ready at all times to give seed; their cow gives birth, without dropping her young.

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

11They send out their young ones like a flock, and their children have pleasure in the dance,

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

12They make songs to the instruments of music, and are glad at the sound of the pipe.

12They shout to the tambour and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe.

13Their days come to an end without trouble, and suddenly they go down to the underworld.

13They spend their days in prosperity, and in a moment go down to Sheol.

14Though they said to God, Go away from us, for we have no desire for the knowledge of your ways.

14And they say untoGod, Depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways!

15What is the Ruler of all, that we may give him worship? and what profit is it to us to make prayer to him?

15What is the Almighty that we should serve him? and what are we profited if we pray unto him?

16Truly, is not their well-being in their power? (The purpose of the evil-doers is far from me.)

16Behold, their prosperity is not in their hand. The counsel of the wicked be far from me!

17How 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?

17How often is the lamp of the wicked put out, and cometh their calamity upon them? Doth he distribute sorrows [to them] in his anger?

18How frequently are they as dry stems before the wind, or as grass taken away by the storm-wind?

18Do they become as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away?

19You 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!

19God layeth up [the punishment of] his iniquity for his children; he rewardeth him, and he shall know [it]:

20Let his eyes see his trouble, and let him be full of the wrath of the Ruler of all!

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

21For what interest has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is ended?

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

22Is anyone able to give teaching to God? for he is the judge of those who are on high.

22Can any teachGod knowledge? And he it is that judgeth those that are high.

23One comes to his end in complete well-being, full of peace and quiet:

23One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet;

24His buckets are full of milk, and there is no loss of strength in his bones.

24His sides are full of fat, and the marrow of his bones is moistened;

25And another comes to his end with a bitter soul, without ever tasting good.

25And another dieth in bitterness of soul, and hath not tasted good:

26Together they go down to the dust, and are covered by the worm.

26Together they lie down in the dust, and the worms cover them.

27See, I am conscious of your thoughts, and of your violent purposes against me;

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

28For you say, Where is the house of the ruler, and where is the tent of the evil-doer?

28For ye say, Where is the house of the noble? and where the tent of the dwellings of the wicked?

29Have you not put the question to the travellers, and do you not take note of their experience?

29Have ye not asked the wayfarers? and do ye not regard their tokens:

30How the evil man goes free in the day of trouble, and has salvation in the day of wrath?

30That the wicked is reserved for the day of calamity? They are led forth to the day of wrath.

31Who will make his way clear to his face? and if he has done a thing, who gives him punishment for it?

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

32He is taken to his last resting-place, and keeps watch over it.

32Yet is he carried to the graves, and watch is kept over the tomb.

33The earth of the valley covering his bones is sweet to him, and all men come after him, as there were unnumbered before him.

33The clods of the valley are sweet unto him; and every man followeth suit after him, as there were innumerable before him.

34Why 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?

34How then comfort ye me in vain? Your answers remain perfidious.