Job 21

1Then Job made answer and said,

1Then Job answered, and said:

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

2Hear, I beseech you, my words, and do penance.

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, if you please, laugh at my words.

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

4Is my debate against man, that I should not have just reason to be troubled?

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

5Hearken to me and be astonished, and lay your finger on your mouth.

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

6As for me, when I remember, I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.

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

7Why then do the wicked live, are they advanced, and strengthened with riches?

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

8Their seed continueth before them, a multitude of kinsmen, and of children's children in their sight.

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

9Their houses are secure and peaceable, and the rod of God is not upon them.

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

10Their cattle have conceived, and failed not: their cow has calved, and is not deprived of her fruit.

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

11Their little ones go out like a flock, and their children dance and play.

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

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

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

13They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment they go down to hell.

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

14Who have said to God: Depart from us, 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?

15Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what doth it profit us if we pray to him?

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

16Yet because their good things are not in their hand, may 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 shall the lamp of the wicked be put out, and a deluge come upon them, and he shall distribute the sorrows of his wrath?

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

18They shall be as chaff before the face of the wind, and as ashes which the whirlwind scattereth.

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 shall lay up the sorrow of the father for his children: and when he shall repay, then shall he know.

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

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

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

21For what is it to him what befalleth his house after him: and if the number of his months be diminished by one half?

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

22Shall any one teach God knowledge, who judgeth those that are high?

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

23One man dieth strong, and hale, rich and happy.

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

24His bowels are full of fat, and his bones are moistened with marrow.

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

25But another dieth in bitterness of soul without any riches:

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

26And yet they shall sleep together in the dust, and worms shall cover them.

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

27Surely I know your thoughts, and your unjust judgments against me.

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

28For you say: Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked?

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

29Ask any one of them that go by the way, and you shall perceive that he knoweth these same things.

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

30Because the wicked man is reserved to the day of destruction, and he shall be brought 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 reprove 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.

32He shall be brought to the graves, and shall watch in the heap of the dead.

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

33He hath been acceptable to the gravel of Cocytus, and he shall draw every man after him, and there are 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 do ye comfort me in vain, whereas your answer is shewn to be repugnant to truth?