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Job 21

Then Job answered: "Listen carefully to what I'm saying, and let that be your comfort to me. Bear with me while I have my say; after I've spoken, go on and mock me if you want. As for me, is my complaint to man? And if it were, why shouldn't my spirit be troubled?

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Why do the wicked live?

Then Job answered: "Listen carefully to what I'm saying, and let that be your comfort to me. Bear with me while I have my say; after I've spoken, go on and mock me if you want. As for me, is my complaint to man? And if it were, why shouldn't my spirit be troubled? Mark me and be astonished; lay your hand over your mouth. Even when I remember, I am afraid, and trembling takes hold of my flesh. Why do the wicked live, grow old and become mighty in power? Their children are established with them before their eyes, and their offspring stand in their eyes. Their houses are safe from fear, and the rod of God is not upon them. Their bull breeds and does not fail; their cow calves and does not cast her calf. They send out their little ones like a flock, and their children dance. They take up the tambourine and harp and rejoice at the sound of the pipe. They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. So they say to God, 'Depart from us. We don't want the knowledge of your ways. What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What profit would we get from praying to him?' Their prosperity is not really in their own hands. The counsel of the wicked is far from me. How often is the candle of the wicked put out? How often does their destruction come upon them? God distributes sorrows in his anger. They are as stubble before the wind and as chaff that the storm carries away. God lays up his wrongdoing for his children; he rewards him, and he will know it. His eyes will see his destruction, and he will drink of the anger of the Almighty. For what pleasure has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the middle? Can anyone teach God knowledge, seeing he judges those who are high? One man dies in his full strength, completely at ease and quiet. His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow. Another dies in bitterness of soul and never eats with pleasure. They lie down alike in the dust, and the worms cover them both. I know what you're thinking and the schemes you wrongfully imagine against me. For you say, 'Where is the house of the prince? Where are the dwelling places of the wicked?' Haven't you asked those who travel the road? Don't you know their signs, that the wicked is reserved for the day of destruction and will be brought forth to the day of anger? Who will declare his way to his face? Who will repay him for what he has done? Yet he will be brought to the grave and remain in the tomb. The clods of the valley will be sweet to him; every man will follow after him, as countless men went before him. So how can you comfort me with empty answers, when falsehood is all that's left in your replies?"

But Job answered: Listen carefully to what I say, and let this be your comfort. Put up with me while I speak. And after I've spoken, sneer on. As for me, is my complaint with man? And if so, why shouldn't my spirit be troubled? Look at me and be shocked, and put your hand on your mouth. When I remember it, I'm frightened, and shaking takes hold of my flesh. Why do the wicked live, get old, yes, and grow mighty in power? Their offspring are set up with them in their sight, and their children in front of their eyes. Their houses are safe from fear, and the rod of God isn't on them. Their bull breeds and doesn't fail. Their cow calves and doesn't lose her calf. They send out their little ones like a flock, and their children dance. They take up the tambourine and harp and celebrate at the sound of the pipe. They spend their days in good things, and in a moment go down to the grave. So they say to God: Get away from us, because we don't want to know your ways. What's the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what do we get if we pray to him? Look — their good isn't in their own hand. The counsel of the wicked is far from me. How often is the lamp of the wicked put out, and how often does their ruin come on them? God hands out sorrows in his anger. They're like stubble in front of the wind, and like chaff a storm carries off. God stores up his trouble for his children. He pays him back, and he'll know it. His eyes will see his ruin, and he'll drink of the anger of the Almighty. Because what does he care about his house after him, when the number of his months is cut in the middle? Will anyone teach God knowledge, seeing he judges the ones on high? One dies in his full strength, wholly at ease and quiet. His pails are full of milk, and his bones are wet with marrow. And another dies in the bitterness of his soul and never eats with pleasure. They'll lie down alike in the dust, and the worms will cover them. Look — I know what you're thinking, and the plans you wrongly work out against me. Because you say: Where's the house of the leading man? And where are the tents where the wicked lived? Haven't you asked the ones who go by the way? And don't you know their signs — that the wicked is kept for the day of ruin? They'll be brought out to the day of fury. Who'll tell him about his way to his face? And who'll pay him back for what he's done? But he'll be brought to the grave and stay in the tomb. The clods of the valley will be sweet to him, and every man will follow after him, the way there were countless ones before him. How then do you comfort me with empty words, seeing there's nothing left in your answers but falseness?

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

1

Then Job answered:

Plain English

But Job answered:

King James Version, 1611

But Job answered and said,

2

"Listen carefully to what I'm saying, and let that be your comfort to me.

Plain English

Listen carefully to what I say, and let this be your comfort.

King James Version, 1611

Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations.

3

Bear with me while I have my say; after I've spoken, go on and mock me if you want.

Plain English

Put up with me while I speak. And after I've spoken, sneer on.

King James Version, 1611

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, why shouldn't my spirit be troubled?

Plain English

As for me, is my complaint with man? And if so, why shouldn't my spirit be troubled?

King James Version, 1611

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; lay your hand over your mouth.

Plain English

Look at me and be shocked, and put your hand on your mouth.

King James Version, 1611

Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.

6

Even when I remember, I am afraid, and trembling takes hold of my flesh.

Plain English

When I remember it, I'm frightened, and shaking takes hold of my flesh.

King James Version, 1611

Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.

7

Why do the wicked live, grow old and become mighty in power?

Plain English

Why do the wicked live, get old, yes, and grow mighty in power?

King James Version, 1611

Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?

8

Their children are established with them before their eyes, and their offspring stand in their eyes.

Plain English

Their offspring are set up with them in their sight, and their children in front of their eyes.

King James Version, 1611

Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.

9

Their houses are safe from fear, and the rod of God is not upon them.

Plain English

Their houses are safe from fear, and the rod of God isn't on them.

King James Version, 1611

Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.

10

Their bull breeds and does not fail; their cow calves and does not cast her calf.

Plain English

Their bull breeds and doesn't fail. Their cow calves and doesn't lose her calf.

King James Version, 1611

Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.

11

They send out their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.

King James Version, 1611

They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.

12

They take up the tambourine and harp and rejoice at the sound of the pipe.

Plain English

They take up the tambourine and harp and celebrate at the sound of the pipe.

King James Version, 1611

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.

Plain English

They spend their days in good things, and in a moment go down to the grave.

King James Version, 1611

They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.

14

So they say to God, 'Depart from us. We don't want the knowledge of your ways.

Plain English

So they say to God: Get away from us, because we don't want to know your ways.

King James Version, 1611

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? What profit would we get from praying to him?'

Plain English

What's the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what do we get if we pray to him?

King James Version, 1611

What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?

16

Their prosperity is not really in their own hands. The counsel of the wicked is far from me.

Plain English

Look — their good isn't in their own hand. The counsel of the wicked is far from me.

King James Version, 1611

Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.

17

How often is the candle of the wicked put out? How often does their destruction come upon them? God distributes sorrows in his anger.

Plain English

How often is the lamp of the wicked put out, and how often does their ruin come on them? God hands out sorrows in his anger.

King James Version, 1611

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 carries away.

Plain English

They're like stubble in front of the wind, and like chaff a storm carries off.

King James Version, 1611

They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.

19

God lays up his wrongdoing for his children; he rewards him, and he will know it.

Plain English

God stores up his trouble for his children. He pays him back, and he'll know it.

King James Version, 1611

God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it.

20

His eyes will see his destruction, and he will drink of the anger of the Almighty.

Plain English

His eyes will see his ruin, and he'll drink of the anger of the Almighty.

King James Version, 1611

His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.

21

For what pleasure has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the middle?

Plain English

Because what does he care about his house after him, when the number of his months is cut in the middle?

King James Version, 1611

For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?

22

Can anyone teach God knowledge, seeing he judges those who are high?

Plain English

Will anyone teach God knowledge, seeing he judges the ones on high?

King James Version, 1611

Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high.

23

One man dies in his full strength, completely at ease and quiet.

Plain English

One dies in his full strength, wholly at ease and quiet.

King James Version, 1611

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.

Plain English

His pails are full of milk, and his bones are wet with marrow.

King James Version, 1611

His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.

25

Another dies in bitterness of soul and never eats with pleasure.

Plain English

And another dies in the bitterness of his soul and never eats with pleasure.

King James Version, 1611

And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.

26

They lie down alike in the dust, and the worms cover them both.

Plain English

They'll lie down alike in the dust, and the worms will cover them.

King James Version, 1611

They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.

27

I know what you're thinking and the schemes you wrongfully imagine against me.

Plain English

Look — I know what you're thinking, and the plans you wrongly work out against me.

King James Version, 1611

Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.

28

For you say, 'Where is the house of the prince? Where are the dwelling places of the wicked?'

Plain English

Because you say: Where's the house of the leading man? And where are the tents where the wicked lived?

King James Version, 1611

For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked?

29

Haven't you asked those who travel the road? Don't you know their signs,

Plain English

Haven't you asked the ones who go by the way? And don't you know their signs —

King James Version, 1611

Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens,

30

that the wicked is reserved for the day of destruction and will be brought forth to the day of anger?

Plain English

that the wicked is kept for the day of ruin? They'll be brought out to the day of fury.

King James Version, 1611

That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.

31

Who will declare his way to his face? Who will repay him for what he has done?

Plain English

Who'll tell him about his way to his face? And who'll pay him back for what he's done?

King James Version, 1611

Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?

32

Yet he will be brought to the grave and remain in the tomb.

Plain English

But he'll be brought to the grave and stay in the tomb.

King James Version, 1611

Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.

33

The clods of the valley will be sweet to him; every man will follow after him, as countless men went before him.

Plain English

The clods of the valley will be sweet to him, and every man will follow after him, the way there were countless ones before him.

King James Version, 1611

The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him.

34

So how can you comfort me with empty answers, when falsehood is all that's left in your replies?"

Plain English

How then do you comfort me with empty words, seeing there's nothing left in your answers but falseness?

King James Version, 1611

How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?