Job 21:1-34 NASB95

[1] Then Job answered, [2] "Listen carefully to my speech, And let this be your way of consolation. [3] "Bear with me that I may speak; Then after I have spoken, you may mock. [4] "As for me, is my complaint to man? And why should I not be impatient? [5] "Look at me, and be astonished, And put your hand over your mouth. [6] "Even when I remember, I am disturbed, And horror takes hold of my flesh. [7] "Why do the wicked still live, Continue on, also become very powerful? [8] "Their descendants are established with them in their sight, And their offspring before their eyes, [9] Their houses are safe from fear, And the rod of God is not on them. [10] "His ox mates without fail; His cow calves and does not abort. [11] "They send forth their little ones like the flock, And their children skip about. [12] "They sing to the timbrel and harp And rejoice at the sound of the flute. [13] "They spend their days in prosperity, And suddenly they go down to Sheol. [14] "They say to God, 'Depart from us! We do not even desire the knowledge of Your ways. [15] 'Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, And what would we gain if we entreat Him?' [16] "Behold, their prosperity is not in their hand; The counsel of the wicked is far from me. [17] "How often is the lamp of the wicked put out, Or does their calamity fall on them? Does God apportion destruction in His anger? [18] "Are they as straw before the wind, And like chaff which the storm carries away? [19] "You say, 'God stores away a man's iniquity for his sons.' Let God repay him so that he may know it. [20] "Let his own eyes see his decay, And let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty. [21] "For what does he care for his household after him, When the number of his months is cut off? [22] "Can anyone teach God knowledge, In that He judges those on high? [23] "One dies in his full strength, Being wholly at ease and satisfied; [24] His sides are filled out with fat, And the marrow of his bones is moist, [25] While another dies with a bitter soul, Never even tasting anything good. [26] "Together they lie down in the dust, And worms cover them. [27] "Behold, I know your thoughts, And the plans by which you would wrong me. [28] "For you say, 'Where is the house of the nobleman, And where is the tent, the dwelling places of the wicked?' [29] "Have you not asked wayfaring men, And do you not recognize their witness? [30] "For the wicked is reserved for the day of calamity; They will be led forth at the day of fury. [31] "Who will confront him with his actions, And who will repay him for what he has done? [32] "While he is carried to the grave, Men will keep watch over his tomb. [33] "The clods of the valley will gently cover him; Moreover, all men will follow after him, While countless ones go before him. [34] "How then will you vainly comfort me, For your answers remain full of falsehood?"