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 me.
21:4 As for me, is my complaint to a mortal? Or why should I not be impatient?
21:5 Look at me, and be astonished, And put your hand over your mouth.
21:6 Even when I remember, I am disturbed, And horror takes hold of my flesh.
21:7 Why do the wicked still live, Grow old, and also become very powerful?
21:8 Their descendants endure with them in their sight, And their offspring before their eyes,
21:9 Their houses are safe from fear, And the rod of God is not on them.
21:10 His ox mates without fail; His cow calves and does not miscarry.
21:11 They send out their boys like the flock, And their children dance.
21:12 They sing with the tambourine and harp, And rejoice at the sound of the flute.
21:13 They spend their days in prosperity, And suddenly they go down to Sheol.
21:14 Yet they say to God, ‘Go away 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 gain if we plead with Him?’
21:16 Behold, their prosperity is not in their hand; The advice 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 carries away?
21:19 You say, ‘God saves up a person’s wrongdoing for his sons.’ Let God repay him so that he may know it.
21:20 Let his own eyes see his destruction, And let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
21:21 For what does he care about his household after him, When the number of his months is at an end?
21:22 Can anyone teach God knowledge, In that He judges those on high?
21:23 One dies in his full strength, Being wholly undisturbed and at ease;
21:24 His sides are filled with fat, And the marrow of his bones is wet,
21:25 While another dies with a bitter soul, Never even tasting anything good.
21:26 Together they lie down in the dust, And maggots cover them.
21:27 “Behold, I know your thoughts, And the plots you devise 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 travelers, And do you not examine their evidence?
21:30 For the wicked person is spared a day of disaster; They are led away from a day of fury.
21:31 Who confronts him with his actions, And who repays him for what he has done?
21:32 When he is carried to the grave, People will keep watch over his tomb.
21:33 The clods of the valley will gently cover him; Moreover, all mankind will follow after him, While countless others go before him.
21:34 So how dare you give me empty comfort? For your answers remain nothing but falsehood!”
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