Job 21
Job's Reply: Why Do the Wicked Prosper?
1 But Job answered and said,
2 Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations. Parallel theme: Hebrews 2:1
3 Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on. Parallel theme: Job 16:10, 16:20, 17:2
4 As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled? Parallel theme: Psalms 42:11
5 Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth. Parallel theme: Job 29:9, 40:4, Judges 18:19, Proverbs 30:32
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? Evil: Psalms 37:35, Habakkuk 1:13. Parallel theme: Job 12:6, Psalms 17:10, Daniel 4:17
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. Parallel theme: Job 9:34, Psalms 73:5
10 Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf. Parallel theme: Exodus 23:26
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. Parallel theme: Genesis 4:21, Isaiah 5:12
13 They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. Parallel theme: Job 36:11
14 Therefore they say unto GodGod: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim). The Hebrew Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) is a plural form denoting majesty and fullness of deity. Though grammatically plural, it takes singular verbs when referring to the one true God, suggesting the Trinity's plurality within unity., Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. References God: Job 22:17, Psalms 10:4, Romans 8:7. Parallel theme: Proverbs 1:29
15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? Parallel theme: Job 34:9, Exodus 5:2
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. Parallel theme: Job 13:25, Psalms 1:4, 35:5, 83:13, Isaiah 17:13, 29:5
19 GodGod: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim). The Hebrew Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) is a plural form denoting majesty and fullness of deity. Though grammatically plural, it takes singular verbs when referring to the one true God, suggesting the Trinity's plurality within unity. layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it. Sin: Exodus 20:5, Isaiah 14:21. Parallel theme: Jeremiah 31:29, Ezekiel 18:2
20 His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty. Judgment: Revelation 14:10. Parallel theme: Psalms 75:8, Isaiah 51:17
21 For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst? Parallel theme: Job 14:5
22 Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high. Parallel theme: Romans 11:34, 1 Corinthians 2:16
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. Parallel theme: Proverbs 3:8
25 And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure. Parallel theme: Job 7:11
26 They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them. Parallel theme: Job 20:11, Ecclesiastes 9:2, Isaiah 14:11
27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me. Parallel theme: Psalms 119:86, Luke 5:22
28 For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked? Evil: Job 8:22. Parallel theme: Job 20:7
29 Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens, Parallel theme: Psalms 129:8
30 That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath. Judgment: Job 20:28, Romans 2:5, 2 Peter 3:7. Evil: Proverbs 16:4
31 Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done? Parallel theme: Deuteronomy 7:10, Galatians 2:11
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. Parallel theme: Job 30:23, Hebrews 9:27
34 How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood? Parallel theme: Job 16:2, 32:3