Job 21:1-34 ASV

[1] Then Job answered and said, [2] Hear diligently my speech; And let this be your consolations. [3] Suffer me, and I also will speak; And after that I have spoken, mock on. [4] As for me, is my complaint to man? And why should I not be impatient? [5] Mark me, and be astonished, And lay your hand upon your mouth. [6] Even when I remember I am troubled, And horror taketh hold on my flesh. [7] Wherefore do the wicked live, Become old, yea, wax mighty in power? [8] Their seed is established with them in their sight, And their offspring before their eyes. [9] Their houses are safe from fear, Neither is the rod of God upon them. [10] Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; Their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf. [11] They send forth their little ones like a flock, And their children dance. [12] They sing to the timbrel and harp, And rejoice at the sound of the pipe. [13] They spend their days in prosperity, And in a moment they go down to Sheol. [14] And they say unto God, Depart from us; For we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. [15] What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? [16] Lo, their prosperity is not in their hand: The counsel of the wicked is far from me. [17] How oft is it that the lamp of the wicked is put out? That their calamity cometh upon them? That God distributeth sorrows in his anger? [18] That they are as stubble before the wind, And as chaff that the storm carrieth away? [19] Ye say, God layeth up his iniquity for his children. Let him recompense it unto himself, that he may know it: [20] Let his own eyes see his destruction, And let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty. [21] For what careth he for his house after him, When the number of his months is cut off? [22] Shall any teach God knowledge, Seeing he judgeth those that are high? [23] One dieth in his full strength, Being wholly at ease and quiet: [24] His pails are full of milk, And the marrow of his bones is moistened. [25] And another dieth in bitterness of soul, And never tasteth of good. [26] They lie down alike in the dust, And the worm covereth them. [27] Behold, I know your thoughts, And the devices wherewith ye would wrong me. [28] For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? And where is the tent wherein the wicked dwelt? [29] Have ye not asked wayfaring men? And do ye not know their evidences, [30] That the evil man is reserved to the day of calamity? That they are led forth to the day of wrath? [31] Who shall declare his way to his face? And who shall repay him what he hath done? [32] Yet shall he be borne to the grave, And men shall keep watch over the tomb. [33] The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, And all men shall draw after him, As there were innumerable before him. [34] How then comfort ye me in vain, Seeing in your answers there remaineth onlyfalsehood?