Job 21

Leeser Old Testament

1Then answered Job, and said,

2Hear, O hear my speech, and let this be wherewith you give consolations.

3Bear with me that I may indeed speak: and after my speaking, then canst thou mock.

4As for me,––is against man my complaint? and if this be so, why should my spirit not be impatient?

5Turn yourselves unto me, and be astounded, and lay your hand upon your mouth.

6Yea, when I think of it, I am terrified, and shuddering seizeth hold of my flesh.

7Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, grow strong in power?

8Their seed is firmly established in their presence with them. their offspring are before their eyes.

9Their houses are at peace without any dread, and no rod of God cometh over them.

10The bull of each one gendereth, and disappointeth not: the cow of each one calveth, and casteth not her young.

11They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children skip about with joy.

12They sing to the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe.

13They wear out their days in happiness, and in a moment they go down to the nether world.

14And yet they say unto God, "Depart from us; and the knowledge of thy ways we desire not.

15What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit shall we have, if we entreat him urgently?"

16Lo, not in their hand doth their happiness rest! The counsel of the wicked be still far from me.

17How often is the lamp of the wicked quenched? and how often cometh over them their calamity? and doth God distribute their lot in his anger?

18Are they as straw before the wind, and as chaff which the stealeth away?

19Should God lay up for his children his wrong–doing? it were better that he reward him, that he might know it himself.

20His own eyes ought to see his downfall, and from the wrath of the Almighty ought he to drink.

21For what care hath he for his household after him, when the number of his months is all apportioned to him?

22Is this fitting God, who teacheth knowledge? him who judgeth those that are highest?

23That this one dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet;

24His vessels being full of healthy fluid, and the marrow of his bones being well moistened:

25While this other dieth with an embittered soul, and hath never partaken of any happiness;

26And yet together they must lie down in the dust, and the worms will cover them?

27Behold, I know your thoughts, and the opinions which ye wrongfully devise against me.

28For ye say, Where is the house of the noble–minded? and where is the tent of the dwelling–places of the wicked?

29Have ye not asked the wayfarers? surely their token ye cannot disregard,

30That the bad man is reserved for the day of calamity, that the wicked are carried forward to the day of wrath.

31But who will tell him to his face of his way? and who will repay him what he hath done?

32Yea he will indeed be carried to the grave, and men will quickly think of his monument:

33Sweet are to him the clods of the valley; and after him succeedeth every man, as those that were before him are without number.

34How then will ye comfort me with vanity? and of your answers there remaineth only deception.

Reina-Valera 1909

1Y RESPONDIÓ Job, y dijo:

2Oid atentamente mi palabra, y sea esto vuestros consuelos.

3Soportadme, y yo hablaré; y después que hubiere hablado, escarneced.

4¿Hablo yo á algún hombre? y ¿por qué no se ha de angustiar mi espíritu?

5Miradme, y espantaos, y poned la mano sobre la boca.

6Aun yo mismo, cuando me acuerdo, me asombro, y toma temblor mi carne.

7¿Por qué viven los impíos, y se envejecen, y aun crecen en riquezas?

8Su simiente con ellos, compuesta delante de ellos; y sus renuevos delante de sus ojos.

9Sus casas seguras de temor, ni hay azote de Dios sobre ellos.

10Sus vacas conciben, no abortan; paren sus vacas, y no malogran su cría.

11Salen sus chiquitos como manada, y sus hijos andan saltando.

12Al son de tamboril y de cítara saltan, y se huelgan al son del órgano.

13Gastan sus días en bien, y en un momento descienden á la sepultura.

14Dicen pues á Dios: Apártate de nosotros, que no queremos el conocimiento de tus caminos.

15¿Quién es el Todopoderoso, para que le sirvamos? ¿y de qué nos aprovechará que oremos á él?

16He aquí que su bien no está en manos de ellos: el consejo de los impíos lejos esté de mí.

17¡Oh cuántas veces la lámpara de los impíos es apagada, y viene sobre ellos su quebranto, y Dios en su ira les reparte dolores!

18Serán como la paja delante del viento, y como el tamo que arrebata el torbellino.

19Dios guardará para sus hijos su violencia; y le dará su pago, para que conozca.

20Verán sus ojos su quebranto, y beberá de la ira del Todopoderoso.

21Porque ¿qué deleite tendrá él de su casa después de sí, siendo cortado el número de sus meses?

22¿Enseñará alguien á Dios sabiduría, juzgando él á los que están elevados?

23Este morirá en el vigor de su hermosura, todo quieto y pacífico.

24Sus colodras están llenas de leche, y sus huesos serán regados de tuétano.

25Y estotro morirá en amargura de ánimo, y no habiendo comido jamás con gusto.

26Igualmente yacerán ellos en el polvo, y gusanos los cubrirán.

27He aquí, yo conozco vuestros pensamientos, y las imaginaciones que contra mí forjáis.

28Porque decís: ¿Qué es de la casa del príncipe, y qué de la tienda de las moradas de los impíos?

29¿No habéis preguntado á los que pasan por los caminos, por cuyas señas no negaréis,

30Que el malo es reservado para el día de la destrucción? Presentados serán en el día de las iras.

31¿Quién le denunciará en su cara su camino? Y de lo que él hizo, ¿quién le dará el pago?

32Porque llevado será él á los sepulcros, y en el montón permanecerá.

33Los terrones del valle le serán dulces; y tras de él será llevado todo hombre, y antes de él han ido innumerables.

34¿Cómo pues me consoláis en vano, viniendo á parar vuestras respuestas en falacia?

King James Version

1But Job answered and said,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

World English Bible

1Then Job answered,

2“Listen diligently to my speech. Let this be your consolation.

3Allow me, and I also will speak. After I have spoken, mock on.

4As for me, is my complaint to man? Why shouldn’t I be impatient?

5Look at me, and be astonished. Lay your hand on your mouth.

6When I remember, I am troubled. Horror takes hold of my flesh.

7“Why do the wicked live, become old, yes, and grow mighty in power?

8Their child is established with them in their sight, their offspring before their eyes.

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

10Their bulls breed without fail. Their cows calve, and don’t miscarry.

11They send out their little ones like a flock. Their children dance.

12They sing to the tambourine and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe.

13They spend their days in prosperity. In an instant they go down to Sheol.

14They tell God, ‘Depart from us, for we don’t want to know about your ways.

15What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What profit should we have, if we pray to him?’

16Behold, their prosperity is not in their hand. The counsel of the wicked is far from me.

17“How often is it that the lamp of the wicked is put out, that their calamity comes on them, that God distributes sorrows in his anger?

18How often is it that they are as stubble before the wind, as chaff that the storm carries away?

19You say, ‘God lays up his iniquity for his children.’ Let him recompense it to himself, that he may know it.

20Let his own eyes see his destruction. Let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty.

21For what does he care for his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off?

22“Shall any teach God knowledge, since he judges those who are high?

23One dies in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.

24His pails are full of milk. The marrow of his bones is moistened.

25Another dies in bitterness of soul, and never tastes of good.

26They lie down alike in the dust. The worm covers them.

27“Behold, I know your thoughts, the plans with which you would wrong me.

28For you say, ‘Where is the house of the prince? Where is the tent in which the wicked lived?’

29Haven’t you asked wayfaring men? Don’t you know their evidences,

30that the evil man is reserved to the day of calamity, that they are led out to the day of wrath?

31Who will declare his way to his face? Who will repay him what he has done?

32Yet he will be borne to the grave. Men will keep watch over the tomb.

33The clods of the valley will be sweet to him. All men will draw after him, as there were innumerable before him.

34So how can you comfort me with nonsense, because in your answers there remains only falsehood?”