Home Master Index
←Prev   Job 21 as rendered by/in  Next→ 


21:1  Then Job answered and said,
21:2  “Listen carefully to my speech, And let this be your way of consolation.
21:3  Bear with me that I may speak; Then after I have spoken, you may mock.
21:4  As for me, is my musing to man? And why should I not be impatient?
21:5  Look at me, and be appalled, And put your hand over your mouth.
21:6  Even when I remember, I am dismayed, And horror seizes my flesh.
21:7  Why do the wicked still live, Continue on, also become very powerful?
21:8  Their seed is established with them in their presence, And their offspring before their eyes,
21:9  Their houses are safe from dread, And the rod of God is not on them.
21:10  His ox mates and does not fail; His cow calves and does not miscarry.
21:11  They send forth their little ones like the flock, And their children skip about.
21:12  They lift up the tambourine and harp And are glad at the sound of the pipe.
21:13  They spend their days in prosperity, And suddenly they go down to Sheol.
21:14  They say to God, ‘Depart from us! We do not even desire the knowledge of Your ways.
21:15  Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, And what would we profit if we entreat Him?’
21:16  Behold, their prosperity is not in their hand; The counsel of the wicked is far from me.
21:17  “How often is the lamp of the wicked put out, Or does their disaster fall on them? Does God apportion destruction in His anger?
21:18  Are they as straw before the wind, And like chaff which the storm steals away?
21:19  You say, ‘God stores away a man’s wickedness for his sons.’ Let God repay him so that he may know it.
21:20  Let his own eyes see his decay, And let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
21:21  For what desire does he have for his household after him, When the number of his months is cut off?
21:22  Can anyone teach God knowledge, In that He judges those on high?
21:23  One dies in his full strength, Being wholly carefree and at ease;
21:24  His sides are filled out with fat, And the marrow of his bones is moist,
21:25  But another dies with a bitter soul, Never even eats anything good.
21:26  Together they lie down in the dust, And worms cover them.
21:27  “Behold, I know your thoughts, And the plans by which you do violence against me.
21:28  For you say, ‘Where is the house of the nobleman, And where is the tent, the dwelling places of the wicked?’
21:29  Have you not asked those who pass by along the way, And do you not recognize their witness?
21:30  That the wicked is reserved for the day of disaster; They will be led forth at the day of fury.
21:31  Who will declare to his face about his actions, And who will repay him for what he has done?
21:32  While he is led forth to the grave, Men will keep watch over his tomb.
21:33  The clods of the valley will gently cover him; Moreover, all men will draw up after him, While countless ones go before him.
21:34  How then will you vainly comfort me, Indeed when your answers remain full of falsehood?”