Job 21

• 1 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?