Job 21

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Job spoke next. He said:	1 Then Job said in reply:
2 Listen careful y to my words; let this be the consolation you allow me.	2 At least listen to my words, and let that be the consolation you offer.
3 Permit me to speak in my turn; you may jeer when I have spoken.	3 Bear with me while I speak; and after I have spoken, you can mock!
4 Is my complaint just about a fellow-mortal? I have good grounds to be perturbed!	4 Is my complaint toward man? And why should I not be impatient?
5 Give your attention to me; you wil be dumbfounded and wil place your hand over your mouth.	5 Look at me and be astonished, put your hands over your mouths.
6 I myself am appalled at the very thought, and my flesh creeps.	6 When I think of it, I am dismayed, and horror takes hold on my flesh.
7 Why do the wicked stil live on, their power increasing with their age?	7 Why do the wicked survive, grow old, become mighty in power?
8 They see their posterity assured, and their offspring secure before their eyes.	8 Their progeny is secure in their sight; they see before them their kinsfolk and their offspring.
9 The peace of their houses has nothing to fear, the rod that God wields is not for them.	9 Their homes are safe and without fear, nor is the scourge of God upon them.
10 No mishap with their bull at breeding-time, nor miscarriage with their cow at calving.	10 Their bulls gender without fail; their cows calve and do not miscarry.
11 They let their infants frisk like lambs, their children dance like deer.	11 These folk have infants numerous as lambs, and their children dance.
12 They sing to the tambourine and harp, and rejoice to the sound of the pipe.	12 They sing to the timbrel and harp, and make merry to the sound of the flute.
13 They end their lives in happiness and go down in peace to Sheol.	13 They live out their days in prosperity, and tranquilly go down to the nether world.
14 Yet these are the ones who say to God, 'Go away! We do not want to learn your ways.	14 Yet they say to God, "Depart from us, for we have no wish to learn your ways!
15 What is the point of our serving Shaddai? What should we gain from praying to him?'	15 What is the Almighty that we should serve him? And what gain shall we have if we pray to him?"
16 Surely they have won their own prosperity, since God is kept so far from their plans?	16 If their happiness is not in their own hands and if the counsel of the wicked is repulsive to God,
17 Do we often see the light of the wicked put out, or disaster overtake him, or the retribution of Goddestroy his possessions,	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 or the wind blow him away like a straw, or a whirlwind carry him off like chaff?	18 Let them be like straw before the wind, and like chaff which the storm snatches away!
19 So God is storing up punishment for his children? But the wicked himself should be punished, andshould 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 He himself should witness his own ruin, and himself drink the anger of Shaddai.	20 Let his own eyes see the calamity, and the wrath of the Almighty let him drink!
21 Once he is gone, what joy can he gain from his family, once the number of his months has been cutoff?	21 For what interest has he in his family after him, when the number of his months is finished?
22 But who can teach wisdom to God, to him who is judge of those on high?	22 Can anyone teach God knowledge, seeing that he judges those on high?
23 And again: one person dies in the ful ness of strength, in all possible happiness and ease,	23 One dies in his full vigor, wholly at ease and content;
24 thighs padded with fat and the marrow in the bones good and moist.	24 His figure is full and nourished, and his bones are rich in marrow.
25 Another dies in bitterness of heart, never having tasted happiness.	25 Another dies in bitterness of soul, having never tasted happiness.
26 They lie together down in the dust and the worms soon cover them both.	26 Alike they lie down in the dust, and worms cover them both.
27 Oh, I know what is in your minds, what you so spiteful y think about me!	27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the arguments you rehearse against me.
28 'What has become of the great lord's house,' you say, 'where is the tent where the wicked used tolive?'	28 For you say, "Where is the house of the magnate, and where the dwelling place of the wicked?"
29 Have you never questioned people who travel, do you not understand the testimony they give:	29 Have you not asked the wayfarers and do you not recognize their monuments?
30 on the day of disaster, the wicked is spared, on the day of retribution, he is kept safe?	30 Nay, the evil man is spared calamity when it comes;
31 And who is there then to reproach him for his deeds and to pay him back for the things he has done?	31 Who will charge him with his conduct to his face, and for what he has done who will repay him?
32 He is carried away to the cemetery, and a watch is kept at his tomb.	32 and on the day he is carried to the grave
33 The clods of the ravine lie easy on him, and the whole population walk behind.	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 So what sense is there in your empty consolation? your answers are the left-overs of infidelity!	34 How then can you offer me vain comfort, while in your answers perfidy remains?