Job 21 — GNB

21Verse 1But Job answered and said:^{Verse 2}Hear attentively my words, And let this be your consolation.^{Verse 3}Bear with me, that I may speak; And after I have spoken, mock on!^{Verse 4}Is my complaint concerning man? Why then should I not be angry?^{Verse 5}Look upon me, and be astonished, And lay your hand upon your mouth!^{Verse 6}When I think of it, I am confounded; Trembling taketh hold of my flesh.^{Verse 7}Why is it that the wicked live, Grow old, yea, become mighty in substance?^{Verse 8}Their children are established in their sight with them, And their offspring before their eyes.^{Verse 9}Their houses are in peace, without fear, And the rod of God cometh not upon them.^{Verse 10}Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; Their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.^{Verse 11}They send forth their little ones like a flock, And their children dance.^{Verse 12}They sing to the timbrel and harp, And rejoice at the sound of the pipe.^{Verse 13}They spend their days in prosperity, And in a moment go down to the under-world.^{Verse 14}And yet they say unto God, “Depart from us! We desire not the knowledge of thy ways!^{Verse 15}Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what will it profit us, if we pray to him?”^{Verse 16}[[Ye say,]] “Lo! their prosperity is not secure in their hands! Far from me be the conduct of the wicked!”^{Verse 17}How often is it, that the lamp of the wicked is put out? And that destruction cometh upon them, And that He dispenseth to them tribulations in his anger?^{Verse 18}How often are they as stubble before the wind, Or as chaff, which the whirlwind carrieth away?^{Verse 19}“But” [[say ye]] “God layeth up his iniquity for his children.” Let him requite the offender, and let him feel it!^{Verse 20}Let his own eyes see his destruction, And let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty!^{Verse 21}For what concern hath he for his household after him, When the number of his own months is completed?^{Verse 22}Who then shall impart knowledge to God,—To him that judgeth the highest?^{Verse 23}One dieth in the fulness of his prosperity, Being wholly at ease and quiet;^{Verse 24}His sides are full of fat, And his bones moist with marrow.^{Verse 25}Another dieth in bitterness of soul, And hath not tasted pleasure.^{Verse 26}Alike they lie down in the dust, And the worms cover them.^{Verse 27}Behold, I know your thoughts, And the devices by which ye wrong me.^{Verse 28}For ye say, “Where is the house of the oppressor, And where the dwelling-places of the wicked?”^{Verse 29}Have ye never inquired of travellers, And do ye not know their tokens,^{Verse 30}That the wicked is spared in the day of destruction, And that he is borne to his grave in the day of wrath?^{Verse 31}Who will charge him with his conduct to his face, And who will requite him for the evil he hath done?^{Verse 32}Even this man is borne with honor to the grave; Yea, he watcheth over his tomb.^{Verse 33}Sweet to him are the sods of the valley: And all men move after him, As multitudes without number before him.^{Verse 34}Why then do ye offer your vain consolations? Your answers continue false.