Job 21

1And Job answereth and saith: —

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

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

4I — to man is my complaint? and if so, wherefore May not my temper become short?

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

6Yea, if I have remembered, then I have been troubled. And my flesh hath taken fright.

7Wherefore do the wicked live? They have become old, Yea, 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 upon them.

10His bullock hath eaten corn, and doth not loath. His cow bringeth forth safely, And doth not miscarry.

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

12They lift themselves up at timbrel and harp, And rejoice at the sound of an organ.

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

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

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

16Lo, not in their hand is their good, (The counsel of the wicked Hath been far from me.)

17How oft is the lamp of the wicked extinguished, And come on them doth their calamity? Pangs He apportioneth in His anger.

18They are as straw before wind, And as chaff a hurricane hath stolen away,

19God layeth up for his sons his sorrow, He giveth recompense unto him — and he knoweth.

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

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

22To God doth one teach knowledge, And He the high doth judge?

23This one dieth in his perfect strength, Wholly at ease and quiet.

24His breasts have been full of milk, And marrow his bones doth moisten.

25And this one dieth with a bitter soul, And have not eaten with gladness.

26Together — on the dust they lie down, And the worm doth cover them over.

27Lo, I have known your thoughts, And the devices against me ye do wrongfully.

28For ye say, 'Where is the house of the noble? And where the tent — The tabernacles of the wicked?'

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

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

31Who doth declare to his face his way? And for that which he hath done, Who doth give recompence to him?

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

33Sweet to him have been the clods of the valley, And after him every man he draweth, And before him there is no numbering.

34And how do ye comfort me with vanity, And in your answers hath been left trespass?