Job 21

1 In response, Job said:ISV — Job 21:1

2 “Listen carefully to my words; let this encourage all of you.ISV — Job 21:2

3 Bear with me and let me speak! Then, after I’ve spoken, you’ll be free to mock me.ISV — Job 21:3

4 After all, isn’t my complaint against a human being? If so, why shouldn’t I be impatient?ISV — Job 21:4

5 Look at me, be appalled, and then shut up!ISV — Job 21:5

6 When I think about this, ^{a21:6 The Heb. lacks of this} I’m petrified with terror and my body shudders uncontrollably.”ISV — Job 21:6

7 “Why do the wicked live to reach old age and increase in power and wealth, too?ISV — Job 21:7

8 Their children grow up while they’re alive, and they live to see their grandchildren.ISV — Job 21:8

9 Their houses are safe from fear, and God’s chastisement ^{b21:9 Lit. rod} never visits them.ISV — Job 21:9

10 Their bull breeds without fail, and their cows calve without miscarriages.ISV — Job 21:10

11 They release their children to play like sheep; their young ones ^{c21:11 Or children} dance about,ISV — Job 21:11

12 singing ^{d21:12 Lit. they take up} with tambourines and lyres as they rejoice to the sound of flutes.ISV — Job 21:12

13 They grow old ^{e21:13 Lit. wear out their days} in prosperity, as they descend peacefully into the afterlife. ^{f21:13 Lit. Sheol; i.e. the abode of the dead}ISV — Job 21:13

14 “They say to God, ‘Turn away from us! We have no desire to know your ways.ISV — Job 21:14

15 Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? Where’s the profit in talking to him?’ISV — Job 21:15

16 Behold! Their prosperity isn’t in their control! The counsel of the wicked will remain far from me.”ISV — Job 21:16

17 “How often do the wicked have their lights put out? Does calamity ever fall on them? Will God ^{g21:17 Lit. he} in his anger ever apportion their destruction?ISV — Job 21:17

18 May they become like a straw, blown away before the wind; like a chaff that’s swept off by a storm.ISV — Job 21:18

19 God stores up their iniquity to repay their children; making them ^{h21:19 Lit. him} repay so that they may be aware.ISV — Job 21:19

20 Their own eyes will see their destruction; and they’ll drink the wrath of the Almighty.ISV — Job 21:20

21 What will they care for their household after them, when the number of his months comes to an end?”ISV — Job 21:21

22 “Can God learn anything? After all, he will judge even the exalted ones.ISV — Job 21:22

23 Such persons will die in their full vigor, completely prosperous and secure.ISV — Job 21:23

24 His buckets are filled with milk, his bone marrow is healthy. ^{i21:24 Lit. moist}ISV — Job 21:24

25 Others die with a bitter soul, never having tasted the good life. ^{j21:25 The Heb. lacks life}ISV — Job 21:25

26 They both lie down in the dust; and worms ^{k21:26 Lit. and a worm} cover them.”ISV — Job 21:26

27 “Look! I know your thoughts, your plans ^{l21:27 Or purposes} are going to harm me.ISV — Job 21:27

28 You ask, ‘Where is the noble person’s house?’ and ‘Where are the tents where the wicked live?’ISV — Job 21:28

29 Haven’t you asked travelers on the highway? Don’t you accept their wordISV — Job 21:29

30 that the wicked person is spared from times of calamity, that he is rescued on the day of wrath?ISV — Job 21:30

31 Who will expose his conduct to his face? Who will repay him for what he has doneISV — Job 21:31

32 when he is carried away to the cemetery and guardians are placed to watch his tomb?ISV — Job 21:32

33 The runoff from the streams will seem sweet to him; everyone will follow after him; countless crows march ahead of him.ISV — Job 21:33

34 How then, can you console me so worthlessly? What is left of your answers is treachery.”ISV — Job 21:34