Job 21

1. And Job answered and said,

2. “Listen carefully to my speech, and let this be your comfort.

3. Allow me and I shall speak; and after I have spoken, mock on.

4. As for me, is my complaint to man? And why should my spirit not be troubled?

5. Look at me and be astonished, and lay your hand on your mouth.

6. Even when I remember, I am afraid, and trembling takes hold on my flesh.

7. Why do the wicked live? They grow old and yea, they become mighty in power.

8. Their children are established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.

9. Their houses are in peace, without fear; nor is the rod of God upon them.

10. Their bull mates and does not fail; their cow calves, and does not cast her calf.

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

12. They sing to the drum and lyre, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe.

13. They spend their days in prosperity, and peacefully they go down to the grave.

14. And they say to God, ‘Depart from us; for we do not desire the knowledge of Your ways;

15. What is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit should we have if we pray to Him?’

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

17. How often is the lamp of the wicked put out, and their trouble comes upon them! He distributes destruction in His anger;

18. They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff carried away in a windstorm.

19. It is said, ‘God lays up one’s iniquity for his children’—but let Him repay him that he may know it.

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

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

22. Shall any teach God knowledge, since He shall judge those who are high?

23. One dies in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.

24. His pails are full of milk, his bones are moistened with marrow.

25. And another dies in the bitterness of his soul, and never eats with pleasure.

26. They lie down together in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.

27. Behold, I know your thoughts, and the plots which you wrongfully imagine against me.

28. For you say, ‘Where is the house of the prince, and where are the dwelling places of the wicked?’

29. Did you not ask those who travel the road? And do you not know their signs,

30. That the evil man is preserved for the day of destruction? They shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.

31. Who shall confront him to his face? And who shall repay him for what he has done?

32. Yet he shall be brought to the grave, and watch shall be kept over his tomb.

33. And the clods of the valley shall be sweet to him and every man shall draw after him, as there is no numbering of those who have gone before him.

34. How then do you comfort me in vain; yea, your answers are full of falsehoods?”