21:1 But Job answered and said,

21:2 Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations.

21:3 Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.

21:4 As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled?

21:5 Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.

21:6 Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.

21:7 Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?

21:8 Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.

21:9 Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.

21:10 Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.

21:11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.

21:12 They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.

21:13 They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.

21:14 Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.

21:15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?

21:16 Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.

21:17 How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.

21:18 They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.

21:19 God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it.

21:20 His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.

21:21 For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?

21:22 Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high.

21:23 One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.

21:24 His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.

21:25 And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.

21:26 They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.

21:27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.

21:28 For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked?

21:29 Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens,

21:30 That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.

21:31 Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?

21:32 Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.

21:33 The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him.

21:34 How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?