KJ3 Literal Translation
Job 21
1 Job shows that even in the judgment of man he has reason to be grieved. 7 Sometimes the wicked prosper, as they despise Jehovah. 27 The judgment of the wicked is in another world.
1¶ And Job answered and said:
2Listening, listen to my speech, and let this be your comfort;
3Rise with me and I shall speak; then after I have spoken, you may mock.
4As for me, is my complaint to man? And why should not my spirit be short?
5Turn toward me and be astonished, and put your hand on your mouth.
6And if I remember, I am dismayed; and shuddering seizes on my flesh.
7¶ Why do the wicked ones live? They grow old, and become mighty in power.
8Their seed is established with them before their face, and their offspring before their eyes.
9Their houses are in peace, without fear; and no rod of God's is on them.
10His bull passes semen and does not fail; his cow calves and does not miscarry.
11They send their young boys out as a flock, and their children dance.
12They lift up voice at the timbrel and lyre, and rejoice at the sound of the flute.
13They spend their days in good, and in a moment go down to Sheol.
14And they say to God, Depart from us, for we do not desire the knowledge of Your ways.
15What is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what do we profit if we entreat Him?
16Behold, their good is not in their hand! The counsel of the wicked ones is far from me.
17¶ How often is the lamp of the wicked ones put out, and their calamity comes on them! He shares out pangs in His anger;
18they are as straw before the wind, and as chaff that the tempest steals away.
19God stores up his iniquity for his sons; He repays him, and he knows.
20His eyes shall see his ruin, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
21For what is his delight in his house after him, and his number of months is cut off.
22Shall any teach God knowledge, since He shall judge those who are exalted?
23One dies in his full strength, wholly secure and at ease;
24his sides are full of milk, and his bones are wet with marrow.
25And this one dies with bitter soul, and never eats with pleasure;
26they lie down together on the dust, and the worm covers over them.
27¶ Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices with which you do wrong against me;
28for you say, Where is the house of the noble, and where the tent, the dwellings of the wicked ones?
29Have you not asked those who pass along the way; and do you not recognize their signs?
30For the wicked one is kept for the day of calamity; they shall be brought to the day of wrath.
31Who shall declare his way to his face? And who repays him for what he has done?
32Yet he shall be brought to the graves, and watch shall be kept over his tomb.
33And the clods of the valley shall be sweet to him; and every man shall draw after him; and before him there is no number.
34How then do you comfort me with vanity? Yea, in your answers a treacherous act remains.
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