(KJV) Job 21¹

⥃Job: God Will Punish the Wicked

[1] But Job answered and said, [2] Hear² diligently my speech, and let this be³ your consolations. [3] Suffer me that I may⁴ speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on⁵. [4] As for me, [is] my complaint⁶ to man? and if [it were⁷ so], why should not my spirit be troubled⁸? [5] Mark me⁹, and be astonished¹⁰, and lay [your¹¹] hand upon [your] mouth. [6] Even when¹² I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh. [7] Wherefore¹³ do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty¹⁴ in power? [8] Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.¹⁵ [9] Their houses [are] safe from fear¹⁶, neither [is] the rod¹⁷ of God upon them. [10] Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow¹⁸ calveth, and casteth not her calf. [11] They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.¹⁹ [12] They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.²⁰ [13] They²¹ spend their days in wealth²², and in a moment go down to the grave. [14] Therefore they say²³ unto God, Depart from us; for we²⁴ desire not the knowledge of thy ways. [15] What [is²⁵] the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what²⁶ profit should we have, if we²⁷ pray unto him? [16] Lo²⁸, their good [is] not in their hand: the counsel²⁹ of the wicked is far from me. [17] How oft³⁰ is the candle³¹ of the wicked put out! and [how oft] cometh their destruction upon them! [God] distributeth³² sorrows in his anger. [18] They are as stubble³³ before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth³⁴ away. [19] God layeth³⁵ up his iniquity³⁶ for his³⁷ children: he rewardeth³⁸ him, and he shall³⁹ know [it]. [20] His eyes shall see⁴⁰ his destruction, and he shall drink⁴¹ of the wrath of the Almighty. [21] For what⁴² pleasure [hath] he in his house after him, when the number⁴³ of his months is cut off in the midst? [22] Shall [any] teach⁴⁴ God knowledge? seeing he judgeth⁴⁵ those that are high. [23] One dieth in his full strength⁴⁶, being wholly at ease and quiet. [24] His breasts⁴⁷ are full of milk, and his bones are moistened⁴⁸ with marrow. [25] And another dieth in the bitterness⁴⁹ of his soul, and never⁵⁰ eateth with pleasure. [26] They shall lie down alike⁵¹ in the dust, and the worms⁵² shall cover them. [27] Behold, I know⁵³ your thoughts, and the devices [which] ye wrongfully⁵⁴ imagine against me. [28] For ye say, Where⁵⁵ [is] the house of the prince? and where [are] the dwelling places⁵⁶ of the wicked? [29] Have ye not asked them that go by⁵⁷ the way? and do ye not know their tokens, [30] That the wicked⁵⁸ is reserved to the day⁵⁹ of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath⁶⁰. [31] Who shall declare⁶¹ his way to his face? and who shall repay⁶² him [what] he hath done? [32] Yet shall he be⁶³ brought to the grave⁶⁴, and shall remain in the tomb⁶⁵. [33] The clods of the valley shall be sweet⁶⁶ unto him, and every man⁶⁷ shall draw after him, as [there are] innumerable before him. [34] How then comfort⁶⁸ ye me in vain, seeing⁶⁹ in your answers there remaineth falsehood⁷⁰?