21 But
Job answered and said, 2 Hear
diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations. 3 Suffer
me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on. 4 As
for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit
be troubled? 5 Mark
me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth. 6 Even
when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh. 7 Wherefore
do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power? 8 Their
seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before
their eyes. 9 Their
houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them. 10 Their
bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her
calf. 11 They
send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance. 12 They
take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ. 13 They
spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. 14 Therefore
they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of
thy ways. 15 What
is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have,
if we pray unto him? 16 Lo,
their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from
me. 17 How
oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction
upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.
18
They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth
away. 19 God
layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall
know it. 20 His
eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty. 21 For
what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months
is cut off in the midst? 22 Shall
any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high. 23 One
dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet. 24 His
breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow. 25 And
another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure. 26 They
shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them. 27 Behold,
I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against
me. 28 For
ye say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places
of the wicked? 29 Have
ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens, 30 That
the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought
forth to the day of wrath. 31 Who
shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath
done? 32 Yet
shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb. 33 The
clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after
him, as there are innumerable before him. 34 How
then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?