BBEV Job Chapter 21
21:1 Then Job made answer and said, 21:2 Give attention with care to my words; and let this be your comfort. 21:3 Let me say what is in my mind, and after that, go on making sport of me. 21:4 As for me, is my outcry against man? is it then to be wondered at if my spirit is troubled? 21:5 Take note of me and be full of wonder, put your hand on your mouth. 21:6 At the very thought of it my flesh is shaking with fear. 21:7 Why is life given to the evil-doers? why do they become old and strong in power? 21:8 Their children are ever with them, and their offspring before their eyes. 21:9 Their houses are free from fear, and the rod of God does not come on them. 21:10 Their ox is ready at all times to give seed; their cow gives birth, without dropping her young. 21:11 They send out their young ones like a flock, and their children have pleasure in the dance, 21:12 They make songs to the instruments of music, and are glad at the sound of the pipe. 21:13 Their days come to an end without trouble, and suddenly they go down to the underworld. 21:14 Though they said to God, Go away from us, for we have no desire for the knowledge of your ways. 21:15 What is the Ruler of all, that we may give him worship? and what profit is it to us to make prayer to him? 21:16 Truly, is not their well-being in their power? (The purpose of the evil-doers is far from me.) 21:17 How frequently is the light of the evil-doers put out, or does trouble come on them? how frequently does his wrath take them with cords? 21:18 How frequently are they as dry stems before the wind, or as grass taken away by the storm-wind? 21:19 You say, God keeps punishment stored up for his children. Let him send it on the man himself, so that he may have the punishment of it! 21:20 Let his eyes see his trouble, and let him be full of the wrath of the Ruler of all! 21:21 For what interest has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is ended? 21:22 Is anyone able to give teaching to God? for he is the judge of those who are on high. 21:23 One comes to his end in complete well-being, full of peace and quiet: 21:24 His buckets are full of milk, and there is no loss of strength in his bones. 21:25 And another comes to his end with a bitter soul, without ever tasting good. 21:26 Together they go down to the dust, and are covered by the worm. 21:27 See, I am conscious of your thoughts, and of your violent purposes against me; 21:28 For you say, Where is the house of the ruler, and where is the tent of the evil-doer? 21:29 Have you not put the question to the travellers, and do you not take note of their experience? 21:30 How the evil man goes free in the day of trouble, and has salvation in the day of wrath? 21:31 Who will make his way clear to his face? and if he has done a thing, who gives him punishment for it? 21:32 He is taken to his last resting-place, and keeps watch over it. 21:33 The earth of the valley covering his bones is sweet to him, and all men come after him, as there were unnumbered before him. 21:34 Why then do you give me comfort with words in which there is no profit, when you see that there is nothing in your answers but deceit?