Job 21:1-34 ICB

[1] Then Job answered: [2] "Listen carefully to my words. Let this be the way you comfort me. [3] Be patient while I speak. After I have finished, you may continue to make fun of me if you wish. [4] "My complaint is not just against people. I have reason to be impatient. [5] Look at me then and be shocked. Put your hand over your mouth in shock. [6] When I think about this, I am terribly afraid. My body shakes! [7] Why do evil people live a long time? They grow old and become more powerful. [8] They see their children become strong around them. They watch their children grow up. [9] Their homes are safe and without fear. God does not punish them. [10] Their bulls never fail to mate. Their cows have healthy calves. [11] Their children run and play like flocks of lambs. Their little ones dance about. [12] They sing to the music of tambourines and harps. The sound of the flute makes them happy. [13] Evil people enjoy success during their lives. Then they go down in peace to where the dead are. [14] But they say to God, 'Leave us alone! We don't want to know your ways. [15] Who is God All-Powerful that we should serve him? We would gain nothing by praying to him.' [16] But the wicked think they succeed by their own strength. Their way of thinking is not godly. [17] Yet how often is the lamp of evil people turned off? How often does trouble come to them? How often do they suffer the punishment God plans in his anger? [18] How often are they like straw in the wind or like chaff that is blown away by a storm? [19] It is said, 'God saves up a man's punishment for the man's children.' God should punish the evil person himself so he will know it. [20] His eyes should see his own destruction. He should suffer the anger of God All-Powerful. [21] He does not care about the family he leaves behind when his life has come to an end. [22] "No one can teach knowledge to God. He is the one who judges even the most important people. [23] One man dies while he still has all his strength. He feels completely safe and comfortable. [24] His body was well fed. And his bones were strong and healthy. [25] But another man dies with an unhappy heart. He never had any happiness. [26] These two men are buried next to each other. And worms cover both of them. [27] "I know very well what you are thinking. I know your plans to do wrong to me. [28] You say about me, 'Now where is this great man's house? And where are the tents where the evil men lived?' [29] You have never asked those who travel. You have not listened to their stories. [30] On the day of God's anger and punishment, it is the evil man who is spared. [31] Who will accuse him to his face? No one pays him back for the evil he has done. [32] He is carried to his grave. And someone keeps watch over his tomb. [33] The dirt in the valley will seem sweet to him. Everybody follows after him. Many people go before him. [34] "So you cannot comfort me with this nonsense. Your answers are still only lies!"