Capítulo 21

1 - Then Job made answer and said,

2 - Give attention with care to my words; and let this be your comfort.

3 - Let me say what is in my mind, and after that, go on making sport of me.

4 - As for me, is my outcry against man? is it then to be wondered at if my spirit is troubled?

5 - Take note of me and be full of wonder, put your hand on your mouth.

6 - At the very thought of it my flesh is shaking with fear.

7 - Why is life given to the evil-doers? why do they become old and strong in power?

8 - Their children are ever with them, and their offspring before their eyes.

9 - Their houses are free from fear, and the rod of God does not come on them.

10 - Their ox is ready at all times to give seed; their cow gives birth, without dropping her young.

11 - They send out their young ones like a flock, and their children have pleasure in the dance,

12 - They make songs to the instruments of music, and are glad at the sound of the pipe.

13 - Their days come to an end without trouble, and suddenly they go down to the underworld.

14 - Though they said to God, Go away from us, for we have no desire for the knowledge of your ways.

15 - What is the Ruler of all, that we may give him worship? and what profit is it to us to make prayer to him?

16 - Truly, is not their well-being in their power? (The purpose of the evil-doers is far from me.)

17 - How frequently is the light of the evil-doers put out, or does trouble come on them? how frequently does his wrath take them with cords?

18 - How frequently are they as dry stems before the wind, or as grass taken away by the storm-wind?

19 - You say, God keeps punishment stored up for his children. Let him send it on the man himself, so that he may have the punishment of it!

20 - Let his eyes see his trouble, and let him be full of the wrath of the Ruler of all!

21 - For what interest has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is ended?

22 - Is anyone able to give teaching to God? for he is the judge of those who are on high.

23 - One comes to his end in complete well-being, full of peace and quiet:

24 - His buckets are full of milk, and there is no loss of strength in his bones.

25 - And another comes to his end with a bitter soul, without ever tasting good.

26 - Together they go down to the dust, and are covered by the worm.

27 - See, I am conscious of your thoughts, and of your violent purposes against me;

28 - For you say, Where is the house of the ruler, and where is the tent of the evil-doer?

29 - Have you not put the question to the travellers, and do you not take note of their experience?

30 - How the evil man goes free in the day of trouble, and has salvation in the day of wrath?

31 - Who will make his way clear to his face? and if he has done a thing, who gives him punishment for it?

32 - He is taken to his last resting-place, and keeps watch over it.

33 - The earth of the valley covering his bones is sweet to him, and all men come after him, as there were unnumbered before him.

34 - Why then do you give me comfort with words in which there is no profit, when you see that there is nothing in your answers but deceit?