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