Job 21
JPS Tanakh (Jewish Publication Society, 1917)
World English Bible
1Then Job answered and said:
1Then Job answered,
2Hear diligently my speech; and let this be your consolations.
2“Listen diligently to my speech. Let this be your consolation.
3Suffer me, that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.
3Allow me, and I also will speak. After I have spoken, mock on.
4As for me, is my complaint to man? Or why should I not be impatient?
4As for me, is my complaint to man? Why shouldn’t I be impatient?
5Turn unto me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.
5Look at me, and be astonished. Lay your hand on your mouth.
6Even when I remember I am affrighted, and horror hath taketh hold on my flesh.
6When I remember, I am troubled. Horror takes hold of my flesh.
7Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, wax mighty in power?
7“Why do the wicked live, become old, yes, and grow mighty in power?
8Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
8Their child is established with them in their sight, their offspring before their eyes.
9Their houses are safe, without fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.
9Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.
10Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
10Their bulls breed without fail. Their cows calve, and don’t miscarry.
11They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
11They send out their little ones like a flock. Their children dance.
12They sing to the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe.
12They sing to the tambourine and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe.
13They spend their days in prosperity, and peacefully they go down to the grave.
13They spend their days in prosperity. In an instant they go down to Sheol.
14Yet they said unto God: 'Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of Thy ways.
14They tell God, ‘Depart from us, for we don’t want to know about your ways.
15What is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit should we have, if we pray unto Him?' —
15What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What profit should we have, if we pray to him?’
16Lo, their prosperity is not in their hand; the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
16Behold, their prosperity is not in their hand. The counsel of the wicked is far from me.
17How 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?
17“How often is it that the lamp of the wicked is put out, that their calamity comes on them, that God distributes sorrows in his anger?
18That they are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm stealeth away?
18How often is it that they are as stubble before the wind, as chaff that the storm carries away?
19'God layeth up his iniquity for his children!' — let Him recompense it unto himself, that he may know it.
19You say, ‘God lays up his iniquity for his children.’ Let him recompense it to himself, that he may know it.
20Let his own eyes see his destruction, and let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
20Let his own eyes see his destruction. Let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
21For what pleasure hath he in his house after him? seeing the number of his months is determined.
21For what does he care for his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off?
22Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing it is He that judgeth those that are high.
22“Shall any teach God knowledge, since he judges those who are high?
23One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet;
23One dies in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.
24His pails are full of milk, and the marrow of his bones is moistened.
24His pails are full of milk. The marrow of his bones is moistened.
25And another dieth in bitterness of soul, and hath never tasted of good.
25Another dies in bitterness of soul, and never tastes of good.
26They lie down alike in the dust, and the worm covereth them.
26They lie down alike in the dust. The worm covers them.
27Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.
27“Behold, I know your thoughts, the plans with which you would wrong me.
28For ye say: 'Where is the house of the prince? And where is the tent wherein the wicked dwelt?'
28For you say, ‘Where is the house of the prince? Where is the tent in which the wicked lived?’
29Have ye not asked them that go by the way; and will ye misdeem their tokens,
29Haven’t you asked wayfaring men? Don’t you know their evidences,
30That the evil man is reserved to the day of calamity, that they are led forth to the day of wrath?
30that the evil man is reserved to the day of calamity, that they are led out to the day of wrath?
31But who shall declare his way to his face? And who shall repay him what he hath done?
31Who will declare his way to his face? Who will repay him what he has done?
32For he is borne to the grave, and watch is kept over his tomb.
32Yet he will be borne to the grave. Men will keep watch over the tomb.
33The clods of the valley are sweet unto him, and all men draw after him, as there were innumerable before him.
33The clods of the valley will be sweet to him. All men will draw after him, as there were innumerable before him.
34How then comfort ye me in vain? And as for your answers, there remaineth only faithlessness?
34So how can you comfort me with nonsense, because in your answers there remains only falsehood?”
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