Job 21:17-34 (New International Version)
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17
"Yet how often is the lamp of the wicked snuffed out?1 How often does calamity2 come upon them, the fate God allots in his anger?3
18
How often are they like straw before the wind, like chaff4 swept away56 by a gale?7
19
[It is said, ] 'God stores up a man's punishment for his sons.'8 Let him repay the man himself, so that he will know it!9
20
Let his own eyes see his destruction;10 let him drink11 of the wrath of the Almighty.a12
21
For what does he care about the family he leaves behind13 when his allotted months14 come to an end?15
22
"Can anyone teach knowledge to God,16 since he judges even the highest?17
23
One man dies in full vigor,18 completely secure and at ease,19
24
his bodyb well nourished,20 his bones21 rich with marrow.22
25
Another man dies in bitterness of soul,23 never having enjoyed anything good.
26
Side by side they lie in the dust,24 and worms25 cover them both.26
27
"I know full well what you are thinking, the schemes by which you would wrong me.
28
You say, 'Where now is the great man's27 house, the tents where wicked men lived?'28
29
Have you never questioned those who travel? Have you paid no regard to their accounts--
30
that the evil man is spared from the day of calamity,29 that he is delivered fromc the day of wrath?30
31
Who denounces his conduct to his face? Who repays him for what he has done?31
32
He is carried to the grave, and watch is kept over his tomb.32
33
The soil in the valley is sweet to him;33 all men follow after him, and a countless throng goesd before him.34
34
"So how can you console me35 with your nonsense? Nothing is left of your answers but falsehood!"36
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online)
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