| Chapter 21 |
1 |
But Job answered and said, --
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2 |
Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations. --
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3 |
Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on. --
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4 |
As for me, [is] my complaint to man? and if [it were so], why should not my spirit be troubled? --
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5 |
Mark me, and be astonished, and lay [your] hand upon [your] mouth. --
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6 |
Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh. --
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7 |
Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power? --
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8 |
Their seed is established in their sight with them, 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 take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ. --
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13 |
They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. --
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14 |
Therefore they say unto God, 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 profit should we have, if we pray unto him? --
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16 |
Lo, their good [is] not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me. --
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17 |
How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and [how oft] cometh their destruction upon them! [God] distributeth sorrows in his anger. --
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18 |
They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away. --
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19 |
God layeth up 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 wrath of the Almighty. --
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21 |
For what pleasure [hath] he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst? --
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22 |
Shall [any] teach God knowledge? seeing he 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 breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow. --
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25 |
And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure. --
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26 |
They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them. --
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27 |
Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices [which] ye wrongfully imagine against me. --
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28 |
For ye say, Where [is] the house of the prince? and where [are] the dwelling places of the wicked? --
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29 |
Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens, --
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30 |
That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought 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 shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb. --
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33 |
The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as [there are] innumerable before him. --
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34 |
How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood? --
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