Job 21 — The Holy Bible

Job Pronounces Judgment on the Ungodly

Job 21, verse 1. Then Job answered and said:

“Listen carefully to my words,

That I may not have this consolation from you.

Bear with me and I will speak;

Then you will stop laughing at me.

“What? Is there any one who does not blame me?

Or why should I not be furious?

Look at me and be astonished,

And put your hand over your mouth.

For even when I remember, I am alarmed,

And pains take hold of my flesh.

Why do the ungodly live and become old, even in wealth?

Their offspring is according to their desire,

And their children are before their eyes.

Their houses flourish, and they have no cause for fear;

Neither is there any affliction from the Lord upon them.

Their ox does not miscarry,

For it is preserved safe during pregnancy

And does not suffer a mishap.

They remain as an unfailing herd,

And their children dance,

Taking up the psaltery and harp;

And they celebrate at the sound of song.

They spend their life in their good things

And fall asleep in the rest of the grave.

Yet such a man says to the Lord,

‘Depart from me. I do not wish to know Your ways.

What is a sufficient reason for us to serve Him?

What benefit is it for us to meet Him?’

For their good things are in their power,

For He does not take notice of the works of the ungodly.

“Nevertheless, the lamp of the ungodly will be put out.

Destruction shall come upon them,

And the sorrows of wrath will seize them.

They are like chaff before the wind,

And they are like dust a storm carries away.

May his possessions fail to supply his children.

God will recompense him, and he will not know it.

May his eyes see his own slaughter,

And may he not be saved by the Lord.

For is his will not in his house with himself?

But the number of his months has been apportioned.

“Is it not the Lord who teaches understanding and knowledge?

Does not He judge murders?

One shall die in the strength of his simplicity,

And wholly at ease and prosperous.

His innards are full of stiff fat,

And the marrow of his bones is dissipated.

Another dies under bitterness of soul,

Not eating any good thing.

They lie down together in the earth,

And decay covers them.

Thus I know you press me recklessly.

You will say, ‘Where is the house of the ruler?

Where is the shelter of the dwelling place of the ungodly?’

Ask those who travel the road,

And do not overlook their signs.

For the evil man makes light of the day of destruction,

But they shall be led away in the day of His wrath.

Who will tell him his way to his face?

Who will recompense him for what he has done?

Yet he is brought to the grave,

And a vigil is kept over the coffin.

The pebbles of the valley have been sweet to him.

Every man shall depart after him,

As countless have departed before him.

How then can you comfort me with empty words,

Since I have no rest from you?”