LEB - Job - 21

21:1  Then Job answered and said,

21:2  “Listen carefully to my words, and let this be your consolation.

21:3  Bear with me, and I myself will speak; then after my speaking you can mock.

21:4  As for me, is my complaint for human beings? And if so, why cannot I be impatient?

21:5  Turn to me and be appalled, and place your hand on your mouth.

21:6  And when I think of it, I am horrified, and shuddering seizes my flesh.

21:7  “Why do the wicked live, grow old, even grow mighty in power?

21:8  With them their offspring are established ⌞before them⌟, and their descendants before their eyes.

21:9  Their houses are safe without fear, and the rod of God is not upon them.

21:10  His bull breeds and does not fail; his cow calves and does not miscarry.

21:11  They send out their little ones like the flock, and their children dance around.

21:12  They ⌞sing⌟ to the tambourine and lyre, and they rejoice to the sound of the long flute.

21:13  They spend their days in prosperity, and in peace they go down to Sheol.

21:14  And they say to God, ‘Turn away from us, for we do not desire to know your ways.

21:15  Who is Shaddai that we should serve him, or what would we benefit when we plead with him?’

21:16  Look, their prosperity is not in their hands; the schemes of the wicked are repugnant to me.

21:17  “How often is the lamp of the wicked put out, and their disaster comes upon them? He distributes pains in his anger.

21:18  How often are they like straw ⌞before⌟ the wind, and like chaff that the storm carries away?

21:19  ‘God stores up his iniquity for his children’? Then let him repay it to him that he may know.

21:20  Let his eyes see his decay, and let him drink from the wrath of Shaddai,

21:21  for what ⌞does he care for⌟ his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off?

21:22  Can anyone teach knowledge to God, since he himself judges high ones?

21:23  This one dies ⌞in full prosperity⌟, ⌞completely⌟ at ease and secure.

21:24  His vats are full with milk and the marrow of his bones is moist.

21:25  Yet another dies with a bitter inner self and has not tasted prosperity.

21:26  They lie down together in the dust, and maggots cover them.

21:27  “Look, I know your thoughts and the schemes you devise against me.

21:28  For you say, ‘Where is the nobleman’s house, and where are ⌞the tents in which the wicked dwell⌟?’

21:29  Do you not ask those traveling the roads, and do you not take notice of their accounts?

21:30  Indeed, the wicked is spared from the day of disaster; he is delivered from the day of wrath.

21:31  Who denounces his way to his face? And who repays him for what he has done?

21:32  When he is brought to the grave, then someone stands guard over the tomb.

21:33  The clods of the valley are sweet to him; everyone will follow after him, and ⌞before⌟ him ⌞they are innumerable⌟.

21:34  So how will you comfort me with emptiness, when fraud is left in your answers?”