Iyov 21

1But Iyov answered and said,

2Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your tanechumot (consolations).

3Bear with me that I may speak; and achar (after) that I have spoken, mock on.

4As for me, is my complaint to adam (mortals)? Or why should my ruach not become impatient?

5Look at me, and be astonished, and lay your yad upon your peh (mouth).

6Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my basar.

7Madu'a (why) do the resha'im live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?

8Their zera is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.

9Their batim (houses) are shalom from pachad; neither is the shevet Eloah upon them.

10Their shor (bull) breeds, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and doth not miscarry her calf.

11They send forth their little ones like a tzon, and their yeladim jump about.

12They sing to the tambourine and kinnor, and rejoice at the sound of the flute.

13They spend their yamim in tov, and in a moment go down to Sheol.

14Therefore they say unto El, Depart from us; for we desire not the da'as of Thy ways.

15What is Shaddai, that we should serve Him? And what profit should we have, if we importune Him?

16Lo, their tov is not in their yad; the etzah (counsel, scheme) of the resha'im is far from me.

17How oft is the ner (light) of the resha'im put out! And how oft cometh their destruction upon them and He distributeth pains in His anger.

18They are as straw before the ruach, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.

19Eloah layeth up his iniquity for his banim; He payeth him back, and he shall know it.

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

21For what pleasure hath he in his bais after him, when the mispar (number) of his months is cut off?

22Shall any teach El da'as, seeing He judgeth those that are on high?

23Zeh (this one) dieth in his full prosperity, being wholly at ease and secure.

24His troughs are full of cholov, and his atzmot are moistened with marrow.

25And another dieth in the marah (bitterness) of his nefesh, and never eateth with pleasure.

26They shall lie down alike in the aphar, and the worms shall cover them.

27Behold, I know your machshevot, and the stratagems which ye wrongfully imagine against me.

28For ye say, Where is the bais of the tyrant? And where are the ohel mishkenot of the resha'im?

29Have ye not asked them that travel the derech? And do ye not accept their testimony,

30That the rah is spared in the yom eid (day of calamity)? They shall be rescued in the yom avarot (day of wrath).

31Who shall declare his derech to his face? And who shall repay him what he hath done?

32Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the gadish (gravemound).

33The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and kol adam shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him.

34How then comfort ye me with hevel (empty nothings), seeing in your answers there is nothing left but falsehood?