| Chapter 21 |
1 |
And Job answered and said,
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2 |
Hear attentively my speech, and let this replace your consolations.
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3 |
Suffer me and I will speak; and after I have spoken, mock on!
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4 |
As for me, is my complaint to a man? or wherefore should not my spirit be impatient?
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5 |
Mark me, and be astonished, and lay the hand upon the mouth.
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6 |
Even when I think [thereon], I am affrighted, and trembling taketh hold of my flesh.
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7 |
Wherefore do the wicked live, grow old, yea, become mighty in power?
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8 |
Their seed is established with them in their sight, and their offspring before their eyes.
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9 |
Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of +God upon them.
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10 |
Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
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11 |
They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
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12 |
They shout to the tambour and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe.
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13 |
They spend their days in prosperity, and in a moment go down to Sheol.
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14 |
And they say unto łGod, Depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways!
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15 |
What is the Almighty that we should serve him? and what are we profited if we pray unto him?
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16 |
Behold, their prosperity is not in their hand. The counsel of the wicked be far from me!
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17 |
How often is the lamp of the wicked put out, and cometh their calamity upon them? Doth he distribute sorrows [to them] in his anger?
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18 |
Do they become as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away?
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19 |
+God layeth up [the punishment of] his iniquity for his children; he rewardeth him, and he shall know [it]:
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20 |
His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the fury of the Almighty.
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21 |
For what pleasure should he have in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off?
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22 |
Can any teach łGod knowledge? And he it is that judgeth those that are high.
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23 |
One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet;
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24 |
His sides are full of fat, and the marrow of his bones is moistened;
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25 |
And another dieth in bitterness of soul, and hath not tasted good:
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26 |
Together they lie down in the dust, and the worms cover them.
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27 |
Lo, I know your thoughts, and the devices ye wrongfully imagine against me.
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28 |
For ye say, Where is the house of the noble? and where the tent of the dwellings of the wicked?
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29 |
Have ye not asked the wayfarers? and do ye not regard their tokens:
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30 |
That the wicked is reserved for the day of calamity? They are led forth to the day of wrath.
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31 |
Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?
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32 |
Yet is he carried to the graves, and watch is kept over the tomb.
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33 |
The clods of the valley are sweet unto him; and every man followeth suit after him, as there were innumerable before him.
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34 |
How then comfort ye me in vain? Your answers remain perfidious.
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