Noyes - Job - 21

21:1  But Job answered and said:

21:2  Hear attentively my words, And let this be your consolation.

21:3  Bear with me, that I may speak; And after I have spoken, mock on!

21:4  Is my complaint concerning man? Why then should I not be angry?

21:5  Look upon me, and be astonished, And lay your hand upon your mouth!

21:6  When I think of it, I am confounded; Trembling taketh hold of my flesh.

21:7  Why is it that the wicked live, Grow old, yea, become mighty in substance?

21:8  Their children are established in their sight with them, And their offspring before their eyes.

21:9  Their houses are in peace, without fear, And the rod of God cometh not 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 in a moment go down to the under-world.

21:14  And yet they say unto God, "Depart from us! We desire not the knowledge of thy ways!

21:15  Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what will it profit us, if we pray to him?"

21:16  [Ye say,] "Lo! their prosperity is not secure in their hands! Far from me be the conduct of the wicked!"

21:17  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?

21:18  How often are they as stubble before the wind, Or as chaff, which the whirlwind carrieth away?

21:19  "But" [say ye] "God layeth up his iniquity for his children." Let him requite the offender, and let him feel it!

21:20  Let his own eyes see his destruction, And let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty!

21:21  For what concern hath he for his household after him, When the number of his own months is completed?

21:22  Who then shall impart knowledge to God,—To him that judgeth the highest?

21:23  One dieth in the fulness of his prosperity, Being wholly at ease and quiet;

21:24  His sides are full of fat, And his bones moist with marrow.

21:25  Another dieth in bitterness of soul, And hath not tasted pleasure.

21:26  Alike they lie down in the dust, And the worms cover them.

21:27  Behold, I know your thoughts, And the devices by which ye wrong me.

21:28  For ye say, "Where is the house of the oppressor, And where the dwelling-places of the wicked?"

21:29  Have ye never inquired of travellers, And do ye not know their tokens,

21:30  That the wicked is spared in the day of destruction, And that he is borne to his grave in the day of wrath?

21:31  Who will charge him with his conduct to his face, And who will requite him for the evil he hath done?

21:32  Even this man is borne with honor to the grave; Yea, he watcheth over his tomb.

21:33  Sweet to him are the sods of the valley: And all men move after him, As multitudes without number before him.

21:34  Why then do ye offer your vain consolations? Your answers continue false.