Job 21

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 Then Job responded by saying:	1 Then Job answered, and said:
2 I beseech you to hear my words and to do penance.	2 Hear, I beseech you, my words, and do penance.
3 Permit me, and I will speak, and afterwards, if you see fit, you can laugh at my words.	3 Suffer me, and I will speak, and after, if you please, laugh at my words.
4 Is my dispute against man, so that I would have no reason to be discouraged?	4 Is my debate against man, that I should not have just reason to be troubled?
5 Listen to me and be astonished, and place a finger over your mouth.	5 Hearken to me and be astonished, and lay your finger on your mouth.
6 As for me, when I think it over, I am afraid, and trembling convulses my body.	6 As for me, when I remember, I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.
7 Why then do the impious live, having been lifted up and strengthened with riches?	7 Why then do the wicked live, are they advanced, and strengthened with riches?
8 They see their offspring continue before them: a commotion of close relatives and of children’s children in their sight.	8 Their seed continueth before them, a multitude of kinsmen, and of children's children in their sight.
9 Their houses have been secure and peaceable, and there is no staff of God over them.	9 Their houses are secure and peaceable, and the rod of God is not upon them.
10 Their cattle have conceived and have not miscarried; their cow has given birth and is not deprived of her newborn.	10 Their cattle have conceived, and failed not: their cow has calved, and is not deprived of her fruit.
11 Their little ones go out like a flock, and their children jump around playfully.	11 Their little ones go out like a flock, and their children dance and play.
12 They take up the timbrel and the lyre, and they rejoice at the sound of the organ.	12 They take the timbrel, and the harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.
13 Their days are prolonged in wealth, yet, in an instant, they descend into hell.	13 They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment they go down to hell.
14 Who has said to God, “Depart from us, for we do not want the knowledge of your ways.	14 Who have said to God: Depart from us, we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
15 Who is the Almighty that we should serve him? And how is it helpful to us if we pray to him?”	15 Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what doth it profit us if we pray to him?
16 It is true that their good things are not in their power. May the counsel of the impious be far from me!	16 Yet because their good things are not in their hand, may the counsel of the wicked be far from me.
17 How often will the lamp of the wicked be extinguished, and a deluge overtake them, and how often will he distribute the afflictions of his wrath?	17 How often shall the lamp of the wicked be put out, and a deluge come upon them, and he shall distribute the sorrows of his wrath?
18 They will be like chaff before the face of the wind, and like ashes that the whirlwind scatters.	18 They shall be as chaff before the face of the wind, and as ashes which the whirlwind scattereth.
19 God will preserve the grief of the father for his sons, and, when he repays, then he will understand.	19 God shall lay up the sorrow of the father for his children: and when he shall repay, then shall he know.
20 His eyes will see his own destruction, and he will drink from the wrath of the Almighty.	20 His eyes shall see his own destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
21 For what does he care what happens to his house after him, or if the number of its months are reduced by half?	21 For what is it to him what befalleth his house after him: and if the number of his months be diminished by one half?
22 Can anyone teach holy knowledge to God, who judges the exalted?	22 Shall any one teach God knowledge, who judgeth those that are high?
23 This one dies strong and healthy, rich and happy.	23 One man dieth strong, and hale, rich and happy.
24 His gut is full of fat and his bones are moistened with marrow.	24 His bowels are full of fat, and his bones are moistened with marrow.
25 In truth, another dies in bitterness of soul, without any resources.	25 But another dieth in bitterness of soul without any riches:
26 And yet they will sleep together in the dust, and worms will cover them.	26 And yet they shall sleep together in the dust, and worms shall cover them.
27 Surely, I know your thoughts and your sinful judgments against me.	27 Surely I know your thoughts, and your unjust judgments against me.
28 For you say, “Where is the house of the ruler, and where are the tabernacles of the impious?”	28 For you say: Where is the house of the prince ? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked?
29 Ask any passerby whom you wish, and you will realize that he understands these same things:	29 Ask any one of them that go by the way, and you shall perceive that he knoweth these same things.
30 that the evil-doer is reserved for the day of destruction, and he will be led to the day of wrath.	30 Because the wicked man is reserved to the day of destruction, and he shall be brought to the day of wrath.
31 Who will reprove his way to his face, and who will repay him for what he has done?	31 Who shall reprove his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?
32 He will be led to the tomb, and he will remain awake in the chaos of the dead.	32 He shall be brought to the graves, and shall watch in the heap of the dead.
33 He has been found acceptable to the banks of the River of Lamentation, and he will draw any man towards him, and there are countless before him.	33 He hath been acceptable to the gravel of Cocytus, and he shall draw every man after him, and there are innumerable before him.
34 Therefore, how long will you console me in vain, when your answer is shown to be repugnant to truth?	34 How then do ye comfort me in vain, whereas your answer is shewn to be repugnant to truth ?