Job 21

1And Job answers and says:

2“Hear my word diligently, || And this is your consolation.

3Bear with me, and I speak, || And after my speaking—you may deride.

4[Is] my complaint [against] man? And if [so], why may my temper not become short?

5Turn to me, and be astonished, || And put hand to mouth.

6Indeed, if I have remembered, then I have been troubled. And my flesh has taken fright.

7Why do the wicked live? They have become old, || Indeed, they have been mighty in wealth.

8Their seed is established, || Before their face with them, || And their offspring before their eyes.

9Their houses [are] peace without fear, || Nor [is] a rod of God on them.

10His bullock breeds without fail. His cow brings forth safely, and does not miscarry.

11They send forth their sucklings as a flock, || And their children skip,

12They lift [themselves] up at timbrel and harp, || And rejoice at the sound of a pipe.

13They wear out their days in good, || And in a moment go down [to] Sheol.

14And they say to God, Turn aside from us, || And the knowledge of Your ways || We have not desired.

15What [is] the Mighty One that we serve Him? And what do we profit when we meet with Him?

16Behold, their good [is] not in their hand || (The counsel of the wicked || Has been far from me).

17How often is the lamp of the wicked extinguished, || And their calamity comes on them? He apportions pangs in His anger.

18They are as straw before wind, || And as chaff a windstorm has stolen away,

19God lays up for his sons his sorrow, || He gives repayment to him—and he knows.

20His own eyes see his destruction, || And he drinks of the wrath of the Mighty.

21For what [is] his delight in his house after him, || And the number of his months cut off?

22Does [one] teach knowledge to God, || Since He judges [those] on high?

23This [one] dies in his perfect strength, || Wholly at ease and quiet.

24His breasts have been full of milk, || And marrow moistens his bones.

25And this [one] dies with a bitter soul, || And has not eaten with gladness.

26Together they lie down on the dust, || And the worm covers them over.

27Behold, I have known your thoughts, || And the schemes against me you do wrongfully.

28For you say, Where [is] the house of the noble? And where the tent—the dwelling places of the wicked?

29Have you not asked those passing by the way? And do you not know their signs?

30That the wicked is spared to a day of calamity. They are brought to a day of wrath.

31Who declares his way to his face? And [for] that which he has done, || Who gives repayment to him?

32And he is brought to the graves, || And a watch is kept over the heap.

33The clods of the valley have been sweet to him, || And he draws every man after him, || And there is no numbering before him.

34And how do you comfort me [with] vanity, || And trespass has been left in your answers?”