Job 21
Job Shows That the Wicked Often Enjoy Prosperity in This Life
1 Then Job answered and said,
2 Hear diligently my speech; and let this be your comfort.
3 Bear with me, and I will speak; and when I have spoken, mock.
4 Do I complain to any man? Yet even if I did, why should not my spirit be troubled?
5 Look at me, and be astonished; and lay your hand upon your mouth.
6 For when I remember this, I am troubled, and my flesh is overcome with horror.
7 Why do the wicked live, and grow old, and yet strive for power?
8 Their seed is established with them before their face, and their young before their eyes.
9 Their houses are at peace, without fear; and the rod of God is not upon them.
10 Their bull breeds and does not fail, their cow calves and does not miscarry.
11 They bring out their young like a flock, and their children skip.
12 They lift up their voices to the sound of the tambourine and the harp, and rejoice at the sound of the trumpet.
13 They spend their days in prosperity, and in a moment they go down to Sheol.
14 Yet they say to God, "Depart from us, for we do not desire the knowledge of your ways."
15 Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what good is it to us if we pray to him?
16 But behold, their good is not in their hands; let the counsel of the wicked be far from me!
17 How often does the lamp of the wicked go out, and their destruction comes upon them? And God divides sorrows among them in his wrath.
18 For they are like chaff before the wind, and like chaff that the whirlwind carries away.
19 God stores up his violence for his children, and repays them, that they may know it.
20 His eyes see his destruction, and he drinks the wrath of the Almighty.
21 For what pleasure would he have in his house after him, when he cuts off the number of his months?
22 Should God be taught knowledge, who judges the high?
23 One dies in the strength of his fullness, while he is completely still and quiet.
24 His buckets are full of milk, and his bones are watered with marrow.
25 And another dies in the bitterness of his heart, because he has not tasted good.
26 They lie together in the dust, and the worms cover them.
27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the evil devices wherewith ye have wronged me.
28 Why say ye, Where is the house of the prince? and where is the tent where the wicked dwelleth?
29 Have ye not asked them that pass by the way, and know ye not their signs?
30 That the wicked is kept for the day of destruction, and taken away in the day of wrath?
31 Who shall reprove him for his way to him? and who shall recompense him for his deed?
32 At last he is brought to the grave, and keepeth watch in the tomb.
33 The clods of the valley are sweet unto him, and he draweth away all men after him; and before him there were innumerable.
34 How then do ye comfort me in vain? for in your answers there is only falsehood.