Job 21

1Then Job made answer and said,● 2Give attention with care to my words; and let this be your comfort.● 3Let me say what is in my mind, and after that, go on making sport of me.● 4As for me, is my outcry against man? is it then to be wondered at if my spirit is troubled?● 5Take note of me and be full of wonder, put your hand on your mouth.● 6At the very thought of it my flesh is shaking with fear.● 7Why is life given to the evil-doers? why do they become old and strong in power?● 8Their children are ever with them, and their offspring before their eyes.● 9Their houses are free from fear, and the rod of God does not come on them.● 10Their ox is ready at all times to give seed; their cow gives birth, without dropping her young.● 11They send out their young ones like a flock, and their children have pleasure in the dance,● 12They make songs to the instruments of music, and are glad at the sound of the pipe.● 13Their days come to an end without trouble, and suddenly they go down to the underworld.● 14Though they said to God, Go away from us, for we have no desire for the knowledge of your ways.● 15What is the Ruler of all, that we may give him worship? and what profit is it to us to make prayer to him?● 16Truly, is not their well-being in their power? (The purpose of the evil-doers is far from me.)● 17How 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?● 18How frequently are they as dry stems before the wind, or as grass taken away by the storm-wind?● 19You 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!● 20Let his eyes see his trouble, and let him be full of the wrath of the Ruler of all!● 21For what interest has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is ended?● 22Is anyone able to give teaching to God? for he is the judge of those who are on high.● 23One comes to his end in complete well-being, full of peace and quiet:● 24His buckets are full of milk, and there is no loss of strength in his bones.● 25And another comes to his end with a bitter soul, without ever tasting good.● 26Together they go down to the dust, and are covered by the worm.● 27See, I am conscious of your thoughts, and of your violent purposes against me;● 28For you say, Where is the house of the ruler, and where is the tent of the evil-doer?● 29Have you not put the question to the travellers, and do you not take note of their experience?● 30How the evil man goes free in the day of trouble, and has salvation in the day of wrath?● 31Who will make his way clear to his face? and if he has done a thing, who gives him punishment for it?● 32He is taken to his last resting-place, and keeps watch over it.● 33The earth of the valley covering his bones is sweet to him, and all men come after him, as there were unnumbered before him.● 34Why 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?●