Job 21

1Job answered and said.

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

3Bear with me, and I will speak; after I have spoken, mock.

4Am I complaining to a mere human? Why then shouldn't my spirit grow impatient?

5Turn to me, be appalled, and put your hand over your mouth.

6Even when I remember, I am terrified, and trembling grips my flesh.

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

8Their seed stands firm before them alongside them; their offspring before their eyes.

9Their houses rest secure from dread, and God's rod is not upon them.

10His bull breeds and does not fail; his cow calves and does not miscarry.

11They let their little ones loose like a flock, and their children dance.

12They lift up the tambourine and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe.

13They grow old and finish their days in well-being, and in a moment enter Sheol.

14They say to God, “Turn away from us, for we do not desire knowledge of your ways.”

15What good is the Almighty that we should serve him? What do we gain by praying to him?

16See, they have no control over their prosperity. The counsel of the wicked is far from me.

17How often is the lamp of the wicked extinguished, calamity coming upon them as he apportions pangs in his wrath?

18Are they like stubble before the wind, like chaff a storm snatches away?

19God stores up his iniquity for his children; let him repay it to himself, that he may know.

20Let his eyes see his destruction, and let him drink the Almighty's fury.

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

22Does anyone teach God knowledge, since he judges the exalted?

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

24His breasts are filled with milk, and marrow moistens his bones.

25Another dies with a bitter soul, never tasting good.

26Alike they lie in the dust, and the worm covers them.

27Behold, I know your thoughts, the schemes by which you would wrong me.

28For you say, "Where is the nobleman's house? And where the tent, the habitations of the wicked?"

29Haven't you asked those passing along the way? Don't you know their signs?

30that the wicked is reserved for the day of calamity; they are led to the day of wrath.

31Who will tell him his way to his face? Who will repay him what he has done?

32Yet he is carried to the grave, and is watchful over the tomb.

33The clods of the valley will be sweet to him; all people will follow after him, as countless are before him.

34How do you comfort me with vanity, when falsehood remains in your answers?