1 But Job answered and said,
2 Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations.
3 Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.
4 As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled?
5 Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.
6 Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.
7 Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?
8 Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
9 Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.
10 Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
12 They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.
13 They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.
14 Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
16 Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
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.
18 They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.
19 God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it.
20 His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
21 For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?
22 Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high.
23 One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.
24 His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.
25 And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.
26 They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.
27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.
28 For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked?
29 Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens,
30 That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.
31 Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?
32 Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.
33 The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him.
34 How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?
1 But Job H347 answered H6030 and said, H559
2 Hear H8085 diligently H8085 my speech, H4405 and let this be your consolations. H8575
3 Suffer H5375 me that I may speak; H1696 and after H310 that I have spoken, H1696 mock on. H3932
4 As for me, is my complaint H7879 to man? H120 and if it were so, why should not my spirit H7307 be troubled? H7114
5 Mark H6437 me, and be astonished, H8074 and lay H7760 your hand H3027 upon your mouth. H6310
6 Even when I remember H2142 I am afraid, H926 and trembling H6427 taketh hold on H270 my flesh. H1320
7 Wherefore do the wicked H7563 live, H2421 become old, H6275 yea, are mighty H1396 in power? H2428
8 Their seed H2233 is established H3559 in their sight H6440 with them, and their offspring H6631 before their eyes. H5869
9 Their houses H1004 are safe H7965 from fear, H6343 neither is the rod H7626 of God H433 upon them.
10 Their bull H7794 gendereth, H5674 and faileth H1602 not; their cow H6510 calveth, H6403 and casteth not her calf. H7921
11 They send forth H7971 their little ones H5759 like a flock, H6629 and their children H3206 dance. H7540
12 They take H5375 the timbrel H8596 and harp, H3658 and rejoice H8055 at the sound H6963 of the organ. H5748
13 They spend H3615 H1086 their days H3117 in wealth, H2896 and in a moment H7281 go down H2865 H5181 to the grave. H7585
14 Therefore they say H559 unto God, H410 Depart H5493 from us; for we desire H2654 not the knowledge H1847 of thy ways. H1870
15 What is the Almighty, H7706 that we should serve H5647 him? and what profit H3276 should we have, if we pray H6293 unto him?
16 Lo, their good H2898 is not in their hand: H3027 the counsel H6098 of the wicked H7563 is far H7368 from me.
17 How oft is the candle H5216 of the wicked H7563 put out! H1846 and how oft cometh H935 their destruction H343 upon them! God distributeth H2505 sorrows H2256 in his anger. H639
18 They are as stubble H8401 before H6440 the wind, H7307 and as chaff H4671 that the storm H5492 carrieth away. H1589
19 God H433 layeth up H6845 his iniquity H205 for his children: H1121 he rewardeth H7999 him, and he shall know H3045 it.
20 His eyes H5869 shall see H7200 his destruction, H3589 and he shall drink H8354 of the wrath H2534 of the Almighty. H7706
21 For what pleasure H2656 hath he in his house H1004 after H310 him, when the number H4557 of his months H2320 is cut off in the midst? H2686
22 Shall any teach H3925 God H410 knowledge? H1847 seeing he judgeth H8199 those that are high. H7311
23 One dieth H4191 in his full H8537 strength, H6106 being wholly at ease H7946 and quiet. H7961
24 His breasts H5845 are full H4390 of milk, H2461 and his bones H6106 are moistened H8248 with marrow. H4221
25 And another dieth H4191 in the bitterness H4751 of his soul, H5315 and never eateth H398 with pleasure. H2896
26 They shall lie down H7901 alike H3162 in the dust, H6083 and the worms H7415 shall cover H3680 them.
27 Behold, I know H3045 your thoughts, H4284 and the devices H4209 which ye wrongfully imagine H2554 against me.
28 For ye say, H559 Where is the house H1004 of the prince? H5081 and where are the dwelling H4908 places H168 of the wicked? H7563
29 Have ye not asked H7592 them that go H5674 by the way? H1870 and do ye not know H5234 their tokens, H226
30 That the wicked H7451 is reserved H2820 to the day H3117 of destruction? H343 they shall be brought forth H2986 to the day H3117 of wrath. H5678
31 Who shall declare H5046 his way H1870 to his face? H6440 and who shall repay H7999 him what he hath done? H6213
32 Yet shall he be brought H2986 to the grave, H6913 and shall remain H8245 in the tomb. H1430
33 The clods H7263 of the valley H5158 shall be sweet H4985 unto him, and every man H120 shall draw H4900 after H310 him, as there are innumerable H4557 before H6440 him.
34 How then comfort H5162 ye me in vain, H1892 seeing in your answers H8666 there remaineth H7604 falsehood? H4604
1 Then Job answered and said,
2 Hear diligently my speech; And let this be your consolations.
3 Suffer me, and I also will speak; And after that I have spoken, mock on.
4 As for me, is my complaint to man? And why should I not be impatient?
5 Mark me, and be astonished, And lay your hand upon your mouth.
6 Even when I remember I am troubled, And horror taketh hold on my flesh.
7 Wherefore do the wicked live, Become old, yea, wax mighty in power?
8 Their seed is established with them in their sight, And their offspring before their eyes.
9 Their houses are safe from fear, Neither is the rod of God upon them.
10 Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; Their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, And their children dance.
12 They sing to the timbrel and harp, And rejoice at the sound of the pipe.
13 They spend their days in prosperity, And in a moment they go down to Sheol.
14 And they say unto God, Depart from us; For we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
16 Lo, their prosperity is not in their hand: The counsel of the wicked is far from me.
17 How oft is it that the lamp of the wicked is put out? That their calamity cometh upon them? That `God' distributeth sorrows in his anger?
18 That they are as stubble before the wind, And as chaff that the storm carrieth away?
19 `Ye say', God layeth up his iniquity for his children. Let him recompense it unto himself, that he may know it:
20 Let his own eyes see his destruction, And let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
21 For what careth he for his house after him, When the number of his months is cut off?
22 Shall any teach God knowledge, Seeing he judgeth those that are high?
23 One dieth in his full strength, Being wholly at ease and quiet:
24 His pails are full of milk, And the marrow of his bones is moistened.
25 And another dieth in bitterness of soul, And never tasteth of good.
26 They lie down alike in the dust, And the worm covereth them.
27 Behold, I know your thoughts, And the devices wherewith ye would wrong me.
28 For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? And where is the tent wherein the wicked dwelt?
29 Have ye not asked wayfaring men? And do ye not know their evidences,
30 That the evil man is reserved to the day of calamity? That they are led forth to the day of wrath?
31 Who shall declare his way to his face? And who shall repay him what he hath done?
32 Yet shall he be borne to the grave, And men shall keep watch over the tomb.
33 The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, And all men shall draw after him, As there were innumerable before him.
34 How then comfort ye me in vain, Seeing in your answers there remaineth `only' falsehood?
1 And Job answereth and saith: --
2 Hear ye diligently my word, And this is your consolation.
3 Bear with me, and I speak, And after my speaking -- ye may deride.
4 I -- to man `is' my complaint? and if `so', wherefore May not my temper become short?
5 Turn unto me, and be astonished, And put hand to mouth.
6 Yea, if I have remembered, then I have been troubled. And my flesh hath taken fright.
7 Wherefore do the wicked live? They have become old, Yea, they have been mighty in wealth.
8 Their seed is established, Before their face with them, And their offspring before their eyes.
9 Their houses `are' peace without fear, Nor `is' a rod of God upon them.
10 His bullock hath eaten corn, and doth not loath. His cow bringeth forth safely, And doth not miscarry.
11 They send forth as a flock their sucklings, And their children skip,
12 They lift `themselves' up at timbrel and harp, And rejoice at the sound of an organ.
13 They wear out in good their days, And in a moment `to' Sheol go down.
14 And they say to God, `Turn aside from us, And the knowledge of Thy ways We have not desired.
15 What `is' the Mighty One that we serve Him? And what do we profit when we meet with Him?'
16 Lo, not in their hand `is' their good, (The counsel of the wicked Hath been far from me.)
17 How oft is the lamp of the wicked extinguished, And come on them doth their calamity? Pangs He apportioneth in His anger.
18 They are as straw before wind, And as chaff a hurricane hath stolen away,
19 God layeth up for his sons his sorrow, He giveth recompense unto him -- and he knoweth.
20 His own eyes see his destruction, And of the wrath of the Mighty he drinketh.
21 For what `is' his delight in his house after him, And the number of his months cut off?
22 To God doth `one' teach knowledge, And He the high doth judge?
23 This `one' dieth in his perfect strength, Wholly at ease and quiet.
24 His breasts have been full of milk, And marrow his bones doth moisten.
25 And this `one' dieth with a bitter soul, And have not eaten with gladness.
26 Together -- on the dust they lie down, And the worm doth cover them over.
27 Lo, I have known your thoughts, And the devices against me ye do wrongfully.
28 For ye say, `Where `is' the house of the noble? And where the tent -- The tabernacles of the wicked?'
29 Have ye not asked those passing by the way? And their signs do ye not know?
30 That to a day of calamity is the wicked spared. To a day of wrath they are brought.
31 Who doth declare to his face his way? And `for' that which he hath done, Who doth give recompence to him?
32 And he -- to the graves he is brought. And over the heap a watch is kept.
33 Sweet to him have been the clods of the valley, And after him every man he draweth, And before him there is no numbering.
34 And how do ye comfort me `with' vanity, And in your answers hath been left trespass?
1 And Job answered and said,
2 Hear attentively my speech, and let this replace your consolations.
3 Suffer me and I will speak; and after I have spoken, mock on!
4 As for me, is my complaint to a man? or wherefore should not my spirit be impatient?
5 Mark me, and be astonished, and lay the hand upon the mouth.
6 Even when I think [thereon], I am affrighted, and trembling taketh hold of my flesh.
7 Wherefore do the wicked live, grow old, yea, become mighty in power?
8 Their seed is established with them in their sight, and their offspring before their eyes.
9 Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of +God upon them.
10 Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
12 They shout to the tambour and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the pipe.
13 They spend their days in prosperity, and in a moment go down to Sheol.
14 And they say unto ùGod, Depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways!
15 What is the Almighty that we should serve him? and what are we profited if we pray unto him?
16 Behold, their prosperity is not in their hand. The counsel of the wicked be far from me!
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?
18 Do they become as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away?
19 +God layeth up [the punishment of] his iniquity for his children; he rewardeth him, and he shall know [it]:
20 His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the fury of the Almighty.
21 For what pleasure should he have in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off?
22 Can any teach ùGod knowledge? And he it is that judgeth those that are high.
23 One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet;
24 His sides are full of fat, and the marrow of his bones is moistened;
25 And another dieth in bitterness of soul, and hath not tasted good:
26 Together they lie down in the dust, and the worms cover them.
27 Lo, I know your thoughts, and the devices ye wrongfully imagine against me.
28 For ye say, Where is the house of the noble? and where the tent of the dwellings of the wicked?
29 Have ye not asked the wayfarers? and do ye not regard their tokens:
30 That the wicked is reserved for the day of calamity? They are led forth to the day of wrath.
31 Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?
32 Yet is he carried to the graves, and watch is kept over the tomb.
33 The clods of the valley are sweet unto him; and every man followeth suit after him, as there were innumerable before him.
34 How then comfort ye me in vain? Your answers remain perfidious.
1 Then Job answered,
2 "Listen diligently to my speech. Let this be your consolation.
3 Allow me, and I also will speak; After I have spoken, mock on.
4 As for me, is my complaint to man? Why shouldn't I be impatient?
5 Look at me, and be astonished. Lay your hand on your mouth.
6 When 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?
8 Their child is established with them in their sight, Their offspring before their eyes.
9 Their houses are safe from fear, Neither is the rod of God upon them.
10 Their bulls breed without fail. Their cows calve, and don't miscarry.
11 They send forth their little ones like a flock. Their children dance.
12 They sing to the tambourine and harp, And rejoice at the sound of the pipe.
13 They spend their days in prosperity. In an instant they go down to Sheol.
14 They tell God, 'Depart from us, For we don't want to know about your ways.
15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What profit should we have, if we pray to him?'
16 Behold, 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?
18 That they are as stubble before the wind, As chaff that the storm carries away?
19 You say, 'God lays up his iniquity for his children.' Let him recompense it to himself, that he may know it.
20 Let his own eyes see his destruction. Let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
21 For what does he care for his house after him, When the number of his months is cut off?
22 "Shall any teach God knowledge, Seeing he judges those who are high?
23 One dies in his full strength, Being wholly at ease and quiet.
24 His pails are full of milk. The marrow of his bones is moistened.
25 Another dies in bitterness of soul, And never tastes of good.
26 They lie down alike in the dust, The worm covers them.
27 "Behold, I know your thoughts, The devices with which you would wrong me.
28 For you say, 'Where is the house of the prince? Where is the tent in which the wicked lived?'
29 Haven't you asked wayfaring men? Don't you know their evidences,
30 That the evil man is reserved to the day of calamity? That they are led forth to the day of wrath?
31 Who shall declare his way to his face? Who shall repay him what he has done?
32 Yet shall he be borne to the grave, Men shall keep watch over the tomb.
33 The clods of the valley shall be sweet to him. All men shall draw after him, As there were innumerable before him.
34 So how can you comfort me with nonsense, Seeing that in your answers there remains only falsehood?"
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?
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Job 21
Commentary on Job 21 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 21
This is Job's reply to Zophar's discourse, in which he complains less of his own miseries than he had done in his former discourses (finding that his friends were not moved by his complaints to pity him in the least), and comes closer to the general question that was in dispute between him and them, Whether outward prosperity, and the continuance of it, were a mark of the true church and the true members of it, so that the ruin of a man's prosperity is sufficient to prove him a hypocrite, though no other evidence appear against him: this they asserted, but Job denied.
Job 21:1-6
Job here recommends himself, both his case and his discourse, both what he suffered and what he said, to the compassionate consideration of his friends.
Job 21:7-16
All Job's three friends, in their last discourses, had been very copious in describing the miserable condition of a wicked man in this world. "It is true,' says Job, "remarkable judgments are sometimes brought upon notorious sinners, but not always; for we have many instances of the great and long prosperity of those that are openly and avowedly wicked; though they are hardened in their wickedness by their prosperity, yet they are still suffered to prosper.'
Job 21:17-26
Job had largely described the prosperity of wicked people; now, in these verses,
Job 21:27-34
In these verses,