Job 21

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 But Job answered and said,	1 Then Job said in reply:
2 Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations.	2 At least listen to my words, and let that be the consolation you offer.
3 Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.	3 Bear with me while I speak; and after I have spoken, you can mock!
4 As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled?	4 Is my complaint toward man? And why should I not be impatient?
5 Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.	5 Look at me and be astonished, put your hands over your mouths.
6 Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.	6 When I think of it, I am dismayed, and horror takes hold on my flesh.
7 Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?	7 Why do the wicked survive, grow old, become mighty in power?
8 Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.	8 Their progeny is secure in their sight; they see before them their kinsfolk and their offspring.
9 Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.	9 Their homes are safe and without fear, nor is the scourge of God upon them.
10 Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.	10 Their bulls gender without fail; their cows calve and do not miscarry.
11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.	11 These folk have infants numerous as lambs, and their children dance.
12 They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.	12 They sing to the timbrel and harp, and make merry to the sound of the flute.
13 They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.	13 They live out their days in prosperity, and tranquilly go down to the nether world.
14 Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.	14 Yet they say to God, "Depart from us, for we have no wish to learn your ways!
15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?	15 What is the Almighty that we should serve him? And what gain shall we have if we pray to him?"
16 Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.	16 If their happiness is not in their own hands and if the counsel of the wicked is repulsive to God,
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.	17 How often is the lamp of the wicked put out? How often does destruction come upon them, the portion he allots in his anger?
18 They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.	18 Let them be like straw before the wind, and like chaff which the storm snatches away!
19 God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it.	19 May God not store up the man's misery for his children; let him requite the man himself so that he feels it,
20 His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.	20 Let his own eyes see the calamity, and the wrath of the Almighty let him drink!
21 For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?	21 For what interest has he in his family after him, when the number of his months is finished?
22 Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high.	22 Can anyone teach God knowledge, seeing that he judges those on high?
23 One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.	23 One dies in his full vigor, wholly at ease and content;
24 His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.	24 His figure is full and nourished, and his bones are rich in marrow.
25 And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.	25 Another dies in bitterness of soul, having never tasted happiness.
26 They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.	26 Alike they lie down in the dust, and worms cover them both.
27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.	27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the arguments you rehearse against me.
28 For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked?	28 For you say, "Where is the house of the magnate, and where the dwelling place of the wicked?"
29 Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens,	29 Have you not asked the wayfarers and do you not recognize their monuments?
30 That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.	30 Nay, the evil man is spared calamity when it comes;
31 Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?	31 Who will charge him with his conduct to his face, and for what he has done who will repay him?
32 Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.	32 and on the day he is carried to the grave
33 The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him.	33 Sweet to him are the clods of the valley, and over him the funeral mound keeps watch, While all the line of mankind follows him, and the countless others who have gone before.
34 How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?	34 How then can you offer me vain comfort, while in your answers perfidy remains?