Job 21:1-26 ▼

1 And Job answers and says:

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

3 Bear 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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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