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