21:1 Then Job answered and said:
21:2 Hear diligently my speech; and let this be your consolations.
21:3 Suffer me, that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.
21:4 As for me, is my complaint to man? Or why should I not be impatient?
21:5 Turn unto me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.
21:6 Even when I remember I am affrighted, and horror hath taketh hold on my flesh.
21:7 Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, wax mighty in power?
21:8 Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
21:9 Their houses are safe, without fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.
21:10 Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
21:11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
21:12 They sing to the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe.
21:13 They spend their days in prosperity, and peacefully they go down to the grave.
21:14 Yet they said unto God: 'Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of Thy ways.
21:15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit should we have, if we pray unto Him?'--
21:16 Lo, their prosperity is not in their hand; the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
21:17 How oft is it that the lamp of the wicked is put out? that their calamity cometh upon them? that He distributeth pains in His anger?
21:18 That they are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm stealeth away?
21:19 'God layeth up his iniquity for his children!' --let Him recompense it unto himself, that he may know it.
21:20 Let his own eyes see his destruction, and let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
21:21 For what pleasure hath he in his house after him? seeing the number of his months is determined.
21:22 Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing it is He that judgeth those that are high.
21:23 One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet;
21:24 His pails are full of milk, and the marrow of his bones is moistened.
21:25 And another dieth in bitterness of soul, and hath never tasted of good.
21:26 They lie down alike in the dust, and the worm covereth them.
21:27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.
21:28 For ye say: 'Where is the house of the prince? And where is the tent wherein the wicked dwelt?'
21:29 Have ye not asked them that go by the way; and will ye misdeem their tokens,
21:30 That the evil man is reserved to the day of calamity, that they are led forth to the day of wrath?
21:31 But who shall declare his way to his face? And who shall repay him what he hath done?
21:32 For he is borne to the grave, and watch is kept over his tomb.
21:33 The clods of the valley are sweet unto him, and all men draw after him, as there were innumerable before him.
21:34 How then comfort ye me in vain? And as for your answers, there remaineth only faithlessness?