Chapter 21

  Then Job made answer and said,  

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  Give attention with care to my words; and let this be your comfort.  

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  Let me say what is in my mind, and after that, go on making sport of me.  

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  As for me, is my outcry against man? is it then to be wondered at if my spirit is troubled?  

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  Take note of me and be full of wonder, put your hand on your mouth.  

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  At the very thought of it my flesh is shaking with fear.  

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  Why is life given to the evil-doers? why do they become old and strong in power?  

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  Their children are ever with them, and their offspring before their eyes.  

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  Their houses are free from fear, and the rod of God does not come on them.  

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  Their ox is ready at all times to give seed; their cow gives birth, without dropping her young.  

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  They send out their young ones like a flock, and their children have pleasure in the dance,  

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  They make songs to the instruments of music, and are glad at the sound of the pipe.  

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  Their days come to an end without trouble, and suddenly they go down to the underworld.  

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  Though they said to God, Go away from us, for we have no desire for the knowledge of your ways.  

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  What is the Ruler of all, that we may give him worship? and what profit is it to us to make prayer to him?  

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  Truly, is not their well-being in their power? (The purpose of the evil-doers is far from me.)  

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  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?  

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  How frequently are they as dry stems before the wind, or as grass taken away by the storm-wind?  

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  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!  

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  Let his eyes see his trouble, and let him be full of the wrath of the Ruler of all!  

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  For what interest has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is ended?  

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  Is anyone able to give teaching to God? for he is the judge of those who are on high.  

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  One comes to his end in complete well-being, full of peace and quiet:  

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  His buckets are full of milk, and there is no loss of strength in his bones.  

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  And another comes to his end with a bitter soul, without ever tasting good.  

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  Together they go down to the dust, and are covered by the worm.  

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  See, I am conscious of your thoughts, and of your violent purposes against me;  

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  For you say, Where is the house of the ruler, and where is the tent of the evil-doer?  

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  Have you not put the question to the travellers, and do you not take note of their experience?  

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  How the evil man goes free in the day of trouble, and has salvation in the day of wrath?  

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  Who will make his way clear to his face? and if he has done a thing, who gives him punishment for it?  

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  He is taken to his last resting-place, and keeps watch over it.  

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  The earth of the valley covering his bones is sweet to him, and all men come after him, as there were unnumbered before him.  

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  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?  

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