Job 21
21:1 Then Job made answer and said,
21:2 Give attention with care to my words; and let this be your comfort.
21:3 Let me say what is in my mind, and after that, go on making sport of me.
21:4 As for me, is my outcry against man? is it then to be wondered at if my spirit is troubled?
21:5 Take note of me and be full of wonder, put your hand on your mouth.
21:6 At the very thought of it my flesh is shaking with fear.
21:7 Why is life given to the evil-doers? why do they become old and strong in power?
21:8 Their children are ever with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
21:9 Their houses are free from fear, and the rod of God does not come on them.
21:10 Their ox is ready at all times to give seed; their cow gives birth, without dropping her young.
21:11 They send out their young ones like a flock, and their children have pleasure in the dance,
21:12 They make songs to the instruments of music, and are glad at the sound of the pipe.
21:13 Their days come to an end without trouble, and suddenly they go down to the underworld.
21:14 Though they said to God, Go away from us, for we have no desire for the knowledge of your ways.
21:15 What is the Ruler of all, that we may give him worship? and what profit is it to us to make prayer to him?
21:16 Truly, is not their well-being in their power? (The purpose of the evil-doers is far from me.)
21:17 How 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?
21:18 How frequently are they as dry stems before the wind, or as grass taken away by the storm-wind?
21:19 You 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!
21:20 Let his eyes see his trouble, and let him be full of the wrath of the Ruler of all!
21:21 For what interest has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is ended?
21:22 Is anyone able to give teaching to God? for he is the judge of those who are on high.
21:23 One comes to his end in complete well-being, full of peace and quiet:
21:24 His buckets are full of milk, and there is no loss of strength in his bones.
21:25 And another comes to his end with a bitter soul, without ever tasting good.
21:26 Together they go down to the dust, and are covered by the worm.
21:27 See, I am conscious of your thoughts, and of your violent purposes against me;
21:28 For you say, Where is the house of the ruler, and where is the tent of the evil-doer?
21:29 Have you not put the question to the travellers, and do you not take note of their experience?
21:30 How the evil man goes free in the day of trouble, and has salvation in the day of wrath?
21:31 Who will make his way clear to his face? and if he has done a thing, who gives him punishment for it?
21:32 He is taken to his last resting-place, and keeps watch over it.
21:33 The earth of the valley covering his bones is sweet to him, and all men come after him, as there were unnumbered before him.
21:34 Why 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?