Job on the Prosperity of the Wicked

Job 21

Job answers by observing that the wicked often live long, prosper, and die at ease surrounded by children and wealth, while others die in bitterness having known no good thing, yet both alike go down to the same grave. He challenges his friends' easy explanations, insisting their attempts to comfort him are empty since they do not reckon with what he has actually seen.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonTO this Job replied:

BrentonBut Job answered and said,

GreekὙπολαβὼν δὲ Ἰὼβ, λέγει,

KJVBut Job answered and said,

JPSThen Job answered and said:

ThomsonHear, hear my words. Can I not have this consolation from you?

BrentonHear ye, hear ye my words, that I may not have this consolation from you.

GreekἈκούσατε ἀκούσατέ μου τῶν λόγων, ἵνα μὴ ᾖ μοι παρʼ ὑμῶν αὕτη ἡ παράκλησις.

KJVHear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations.

JPSHear diligently my speech; And let this be your consolations.

Thomson—

BrentonRaise me, and I will speak; then ye shall not laugh me to scorn.

GreekἌρατέ με, ἐγὼ δὲ λαλήσω, εἶτʼ οὐ καταγελάσετέ μου.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonWhat! is my pleading with man? Or, why shall I not be inflamed with indignation?

BrentonWhat! is my reproof of man? and why should I not be angry?

GreekΤί γάρ; μὴ ἀνθρώπου μου ἡ ἔλεγξις; ἢ διὰ τί οὐ θυμωθήσομαι;

KJVAs for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled?

JPSAs for me, is my complaint to man? Or why should I not be impatient?

ThomsonLook on me and be amazed, having laid your hand on your cheek.

BrentonLook upon me, and wonder, laying your hand upon your cheek.

GreekΕἰσβλέψαντες εἰς ἐμὲ θαυμάσετε, χεῖρα θέντες ἐπὶ σιαγόνι.

KJVMark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.

JPSTurn unto me, and be astonished, And lay your hand upon your mouth.

Thomson—

BrentonFor even when I remember, I am alarmed, and pains seize my flesh.

GreekἘάν τε γὰρ μνησθῶ, ἐσπούδακα· ἔχουσι δέ μου τὰς σάρκας ὀδύναι.

KJVEven when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.

JPSEven when I remember I am affrighted, And horror hath taketh hold on my flesh.

ThomsonWhy do the wicked live and grow old, abounding in wealth?

BrentonWherefore do the ungodly live, and grow old even in wealth?

GreekΔιὰ τί ἀσεβεῖς ζῶσι, πεπαλαίωνται δὲ καὶ ἐν πλούτῳ;

KJVWherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?

JPSWherefore do the wicked live, Become old, yea, wax mighty in power?

ThomsonTheir crops are to their wish, and their children before their eyes.

BrentonTheir seed is according to their desire, and their children are in their sight.

GreekὉ σπόρος αὐτῶν κατὰ ψυχὴν, τὰ δὲ τέκνα αὐτῶν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς.

KJVTheir seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.

JPSTheir seed is established in their sight with them, And their offspring before their eyes.

ThomsonTheir houses flourish and they have no dread; and a scourge from the Lord is not upon them.

BrentonTheir houses are prosperous, neither have they any where cause for fear, neither is there a scourge from the Lord upon them.

GreekΟἱ οἶκοι αὐτῶν εὐθηνοῦσι, φόβος δὲ οὐδαμοῦ, μάστιξ δὲ παρὰ Κυρίου οὐκ ἔστιν ἐπʼ αὐτοῖς.

KJVTheir houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.

JPSTheir houses are safe, without fear, Neither is the rod of God upon them.

Thomson—

BrentonTheir cow does not cast her calf, and their beast with young is safe, and does not miscarry.

GreekἩ βοῦς αὐτῶν οὐκ ὠμοτόκησε, διεσώθη δὲ αὐτῶν ἐν γαστρὶ ἔχουσα καὶ οὐκ ἔσφαλε.

KJV—

JPS—

Thomson—

BrentonAnd they remain as an unfailing flock, and their children play before them, taking up the psaltery and harp;

GreekΜένουσι δὲ ὡς πρόβατα αἰώνια, τὰ δὲ παιδία αὐτῶν προσπαίζουσιν,

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonThey take up the psaltery and kithara, and are charmed with the sound of the song;

Brentonand they rejoice at the voice of a song.

Greekἀναλαβόντες ψαλτήριον καὶ κιθάραν, καὶ εὐφραίνονται φωνῇ ψαλμοῦ.

KJVThey take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.

JPSThey sing to the timbrel and harp, And rejoice at the sound of the pipe.

Thomson—

BrentonAnd they spend their days in wealth, and fall asleep in the rest of the grave.

GreekΣυνετέλεσαν δὲ ἐν ἀγαθοῖς τὸν βίον αὐτῶν, ἐν δὲ ἀναπαύσει ᾅδου ἐκοιμήθησαν.

KJVThey spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.

JPSThey spend their days in prosperity, And peacefully they go down to the grave.

ThomsonYet he saith to the Lord: Depart from me, I desire not to know Thy ways;

BrentonYet such a man says to the Lord, Depart from me; I desire not to know thy ways.

GreekΛέγει δὲ Κυρίῳ, ἀπόστα ἀπʼ ἐμοῦ, ὁδούς σου εἰδέναι οὐ βούλομαι.

KJVTherefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.

JPSYet they said unto God: ‘Depart from us; For we desire not the knowledge of Thy ways.

Thomsonwhat is the Almighty, that we should serve Him: and what the advantage, that we should wait on him?

BrentonWhat is the Mighty One, that we should serve him? and what profit is there that we should approach him?

GreekΤί ἱκανὸς, ὅτι δουλεύσομεν αὐτῷ; καὶ τίς ὠφέλεια, ὅτι ἀπαντήσομεν αὐτῷ;

KJVWhat is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?

JPSWhat is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit should we have, if we pray unto Him?’—

ThomsonFor their prosperity was by their own hands.

BrentonFor their good things were in their hands, but he regards not the works of the ungodly.

GreekἘν χερσὶ γὰρ ἦν αὐτῶν τὰ ἀγαθὰ, ἔργα δὲ ἀσεβῶν οὐκ ἐφορᾷ.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonNow doth not He observe the works of the wicked? and should not the lamp, at least of wicked men, be extinguished, and destruction come upon them? And [should not] pangs seize them, on account of [His] anger:

BrentonNevertheless, the lamp of the ungodly also shall be put out, and destruction shall come upon them, and pangs of vengeance shall seize them.

GreekΟὐ μὴν δὲ ἀλλὰ καὶ ἀσεβῶν λύχνος σβεσθήσεται, ἐπελεύσεται δὲ αὐτοῖς ἡ καταστροφὴ, ὠδῖνες δὲ αὐτοὺς ἕξουσιν ἀπὸ ὀργῆς.

KJVHow oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.

JPSHow oft is it that the lamp of the wicked is put out? That their calamity cometh upon them? That He distributeth pains in His anger?

Thomsonand they be like chaff driven by the wind, or like dust swept away by a whirlwind?

BrentonAnd they shall be as chaff before the wind, or as dust which the storm has taken up.

GreekἜσονται δὲ ὥσπερ ἄχυρα ὑπʼ ἀνέμου, ἢ ὥσπερ κονιορτὸς ὃν ὑφείλετο λαίλαψ.

KJVThey are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.

JPSThat they are as stubble before the wind, And as chaff that the storm stealeth away?

ThomsonHis substance should fail from among his children; He should retribute [his deserts] to him. And he should know it.

BrentonLet his substance fail to supply his children: God shall recompense him, and he shall know it.

GreekἘκλείποι υἱοὺς τὰ ὑπάρχοντα αὐτοῦ, ἀνταποδώσει πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ γνώσεται.

KJVGod layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it.

JPS’God layeth up his iniquity for his children! ’— Let Him recompense it unto himself, that he may know it.

ThomsonHis eyes should see his own destruction, and he should not escape from the Lord.

BrentonLet his eyes see his own destruction, and let him not be saved by the Lord.

GreekἼδοισαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτοῦ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ σφαγὴν, ἀπὸ δὲ Κυρίου μὴ διασωθείη.

KJVHis eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.

JPSLet his own eyes see his destruction, And let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty.

ThomsonBecause his desire is in his family with him; therefore the number of their months should be cut short.

BrentonFor his desire is in his house with him, and the number of his months has been suddenly cut off.

GreekὍτι τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ ἐν οἴκῳ αὐτοῦ μετʼ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀριθμοὶ μηνῶν αὐτοῦ διῃρέθησαν.

KJVFor what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?

JPSFor what pleasure hath he in his house after him? Seeing the number of his months is determined.

ThomsonIs it not the Lord Who teacheth wisdom and understanding, and doth He discriminate murderers?

BrentonIs it not the Lord who teaches understanding and knowledge? and does not he judge murders?

GreekΠότερον οὐχὶ ὁ Κύριός ἐστιν ὁ διδάσκων σύνεσιν καὶ ἐπιστήμην; αὐτὸς δὲ φόνους διακρίνει;

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonOne is to die in his full strength, all his life being successful and prosperous;

BrentonOne shall die in his perfect strength, and wholly at ease and prosperous;

GreekΟὗτος ἀποθανεῖται ἐν κράτει ἁπλοσύνης αὐτοῦ, ὅλος δὲ εὐπαθῶν καὶ εὐθηνῶν.

KJVOne dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.

JPSOne dieth in his full strength, Being wholly at ease and quiet;

Thomsonhis entrails are clothed with fat, and his bones abound with marrow.

Brentonand his inwards are full of fat, and his marrow is diffused throughout him.

GreekΤὰ δὲ ἔγκατα αὐτοὺ πλήρη στέατος, μυελὸς δὲ αὐτοῦ διαχεῖται.

KJVHis breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.

JPSHis pails are full of milk, And the marrow of his bones is moistened.

ThomsonAnother dieth with bitterness of soul, having never tasted anything good.

BrentonAnd another dies in bitterness of soul, not eating any good thing.

GreekὉ δὲ τελευτᾷ ὑπὸ πικρίας ψυχῆς, οὐ φαγὼν οὐδὲν ἀγαθόν.

KJVAnd another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.

JPSAnd another dieth in bitterness of soul, And hath never tasted of good.

Thomson—

BrentonBut they lie down in the earth together, and corruption covers them.

GreekὉμοθυμαδὸν δὲ ἐπὶ γῆς κοιμῶνται, σαπρία δὲ αὐτοὺς ἐκάλυψεν.

KJVThey shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.

JPSThey lie down alike in the dust, And the worm covereth them.

ThomsonI know you charge me with presumption,

BrentonSo I know you, that ye presumptuously attack me:

GreekὭστε οἶδα ὑμᾶς, ὅτι τόλμῃ ἐπίκεισθέ μοι·

KJVBehold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.

JPSBehold, I know your thoughts, And the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.

Thomsonthat you will say, Where is the house of the chief, and where is the covering of the tents of the wicked?

Brentonso that ye will say, Where is the house of the prince? and where is the covering of the tabernacles of the ungodly?

GreekὭστε ἐρεῖτε, ποῦ ἐστιν οἶκος ἄρχοντος; καὶ ποῦ ἐστιν ἡ σκέπη τῶν σκηνωμάτων τῶν ἀσεβῶν;

KJVFor ye say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked?

JPSFor ye say: ‘Where is the house of the prince? And where is the tent wherein the wicked dwelt?’

Thomson—

BrentonAsk those that go by the way, and do not disown their tokens.

GreekἘρωτήσατε παραπορευομένους ὁδὸν, καὶ τὰ σημεῖα αὐτῶν οὐκ ἀπαλλοτριώσετε.

KJVHave ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens,

JPSHave ye not asked them that go by the way; And will ye misdeem their tokens,

ThomsonBecause the wicked is reserved for a day of destruction: let them be carried to prison for the day of His indignation.

BrentonFor the wicked hastens to the day of destruction: they shall be led away for the day of his vengeance.

GreekὍτι εἰς ἡμέραν ἀπωλείας κουφίζεται ὁ πονηρὸς, εἰς ἡμέραν ὀργῆς αὐτοῦ ἀπαχθήσονται.

KJVThat the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.

JPS—

ThomsonWho shall tell him his way to his face, and who shall retribute to him what he hath done?

BrentonWho will tell him his way to his face, whereas he has done it? who shall recompense him?

GreekΤίς ἀπαγγελεῖ ἐπὶ προσώπου αὐτοῦ τὴν ὁδὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ αὐτὸς ἐποίησε; τίς ἀνταποδώσει αὐτῷ;

KJVWho shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?

JPSBut who shall declare his way to his face? And who shall repay him what he hath done?

Thomson—

BrentonAnd he has been led away to the tombs, and he has watched over the heaps.

GreekΚαὶ αὐτὸς εἰς τάφους ἀπηνέχθη, καὶ αὐτὸς ἐπὶ σωρῶν ἠγρύπνησεν.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonThe flints of the torrent have been sweetened for him, and every man shall go after him, as innumerable have gone before him.

BrentonThe stones of the valley have been sweet to him, and every man shall depart after him, and there are innumerable ones before him.

GreekἘγλυκάνθησαν αὐτῷ χάλικες χειμάῤῥου, καὶ ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ πᾶς ἄνθρωπος ἀπελεύσεται, καὶ ἔμπροσθεν αὐτοῦ ἀναρίθμητοι.

KJVThe clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him.

JPSThe clods of the valley are sweet unto him, And all men draw after him, As there were innumerable before him.

ThomsonHow then do ye comfort me with vanity? There is nothing from you to give me consolation.

BrentonHow then do ye comfort me in vain? whereas I have no rest from your molestation.

GreekΠῶς δὲ παρακαλεῖτέ με κενά; τὸ δὲ ἐμὲ καταπαύσασθαι ἀφʼ ὑμῶν οὐδέν.

KJVHow then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?

JPSHow then comfort ye me in vain? And as for your answers, there remaineth only faithlessness?