21:1 But Iyov answered and said:
21:2 Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations.
21:3 Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.
21:4 As for me, [is] my complaint to man? and if [it were so], why should not my ruach be troubled?
21:5 Mark me, and be astonished, and lay [your] hand upon [your] mouth.
21:6 Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling takes hold on my flesh.
21:7 Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?
21:8 Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
21:9 Their houses [are] safe from fear, neither [is] the rod of Elo'ah (אלוהּ) upon them.
21:10 Their bull genders, and fails not; their cow calves, and casts not her calf.
21:11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
21:12 They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.
21:13 They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.
21:14 Therefore they say to EL (אל), Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of your ways.
21:15 What [is] Shadai , that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray to him?
21:16 Hinnei, their good [is] not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
21:17 How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and [how oft] comes their destruction upon them! [Eloah] distributs sorrows in his anger.
21:18 They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carries away.
21:19 Elo'ah (אלוהּ) lays up his iniquity for his children: he rewards him, and he shall know [it].
21:20 His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of Shadai .
21:21 For what pleasure [has] he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?
21:22 Shall [any] teach EL (אל) knowledge? seeing he judges those that are high.
21:23 One dies in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.
21:24 His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.
21:25 And another dies in the bitterness of his soul, and never eats with pleasure.
21:26 They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.
21:27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices [which] you wrongfully imagine against me.
21:28 For you say, Where [is] the house of the prince? and where [are] the dwelling places of the wicked?
21:29 Have you not asked them that go by the way? and do you not know their tokens,
21:30 That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.
21:31 Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him [what] he has done?
21:32 Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.
21:33 The clods of the valley shall be sweet to him, and every man shall draw after him, as [there are] innumerable before him.
21:34 How then comfort you me in vain, seeing in your answers there remains falsehood?