Job 21

But Job answered and said,

With a heavy heart, Job responded, saying,

Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations.

Listen closely to my words; let that be the comfort you give me.

Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.

Allow me to express my thoughts; once I've shared, feel free to ridicule.

As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled?

Am I really complaining to mere humans? If that's the case, isn't it natural for my soul to feel distressed?

Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.

Pay attention, be amazed, and let silence speak for you.

Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.

Whenever I recall, fear grips me, sending shivers down my spine.

Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?

Why do those who do wrong seem to live long, grow old, and gain great power?

Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.

They see their children flourish and grow, right before their very eyes.

Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.

They live without fear, untouched by God's punishment.

Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.

Their bull breeds successfully without fail; their cow gives birth smoothly, never losing her calf.

They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.

They joyfully release their young ones like a herd, and their kids revel in dance.

They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.

They joyfully play the tambourine and harp, their hearts dancing to the melody of the flute.

They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.

They live in luxury all their lives, but in an instant, they meet their end.

Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.

They tell God, "Leave us; we don't want to understand your ways."

What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?

Why should we devote ourselves to the Almighty? What benefits do we gain from praying to Him?

Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.

Yet their prosperity is not in their own hands; I keep myself distant from the advice of the wicked.

How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.

How often do the wicked lose their guiding light! And how frequently does their downfall arrive! God, in his anger, shares out heartaches.

They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.

They are as fragile as dry grass in the wind, and as lightweight as husks swept away by the storm.

God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it.

God stores up the wrongdoings of a person for their children to bear: He gives him his due, and he will surely realize it.

His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.

He will witness his own downfall, and taste the fierce anger of the Divine.

For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?

What joy can one find in his home after he's gone, if his life is cut short unexpectedly?

Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high.

Can anyone truly educate God, the all-knowing? Especially when He is the one who passes judgment on the mighty.

One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.

One passes away at the peak of their life, completely peaceful and undisturbed.

His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.

His body is well fed and thriving, and his bones are rich with marrow.

And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.

Another person passes away, consumed by sorrow, never having experienced the joy of a satisfying meal.

They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.

Everyone will eventually rest in the earth, embraced by nature's cycle.

Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.

I see and understand your thoughts, and the harmful plans you unjustly create against me.

For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked?

You ask, "Where does the ruler live? Where do the wicked reside?"

Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens,

Haven't you asked those who travel the path? Don't you recognize their signs?

That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.

The evil ones are destined for the day of ruin; they will face their reckoning on the day of anger.

Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?

Who will dare to confront him directly? And who will make him answer for his actions?

Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.

Even so, he will be led to his final resting place, staying forever in his grave.

The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him.

He will find comfort in the earth's embrace, and all will follow him, just as countless have done before.

How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?

Why do you try to soothe me with empty words when your responses are filled with deceit?