Job 21
Job’s Reply to Zophar
1Then Job answered:23Pay close attention to my words; let this be the consolation you offer.4
5Bear with me while I speak; then after I have spoken, you may continue mocking.6
7As for me, is my complaint against a human being? Then why shouldn’t I be impatient?8
9Look at me and shudder; put your hand over your mouth.10
11When I think about it, I am terrified and my body trembles in horror.12
13Why do the wicked continue to live, growing old and becoming powerful?14
15Their children are established while they are still alive, and their descendants, before their eyes.16
17Their homes are secure and free of fear; no rod from God strikes them.18
19Their bulls breed without fail; their cows calve and do not miscarry.20
21They let their little ones run around like lambs; their children skip about,22
23singing to the tambourine and lyre and rejoicing at the sound of the flute.24
25They spend their days in prosperity and go down to Sheol in peace.26
27Yet they say to God, “Leave us alone! We don’t want to know your ways.28
29Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him, and what will we gain by pleading with him?”30
31But their prosperity is not of their own doing. The counsel of the wicked is far from me!32
33How often is the lamp of the wicked put out? Does disaster come on them? Does he apportion destruction in his anger?34
35Are they like straw before the wind, like chaff a storm sweeps away?36
37God reserves a person’s punishment for his children. Let God repay the person himself, so that he may know it.38
39Let his own eyes see his demise; let him drink from the Almighty’s wrath!40
41For what does he care about his family once he is dead, when the number of his months has run out?42
43Can anyone teach God knowledge, since he judges the exalted ones?44
45One person dies in excellent health, completely secure and at ease.46
47His body is well fed, and his bones are full of marrow.48
49Yet another person dies with a bitter soul, having never tasted prosperity.50
51But they both lie in the dust, and worms cover them.52
53I know your thoughts very well, the schemes by which you would wrong me.54
55For you say, “Where now is the nobleman’s house?” and “Where are the tents the wicked lived in?”56
57Have you never consulted those who travel the roads? Don’t you accept their reports?58
59Indeed, the evil person is spared from the day of disaster, rescued from the day of wrath.60
61Who would denounce his behavior to his face? Who would repay him for what he has done?62
63He is carried to the grave, and someone keeps watch over his tomb.64
65The dirt on his grave is sweet to him. Everyone follows behind him, and those who go before him are without number.66
67So how can you offer me such futile comfort? Your answers are deceptive.68