Job defends his cause – Book of Job, chapter 21

Job shews that the wicked often prosper in this world, even to the end of their life: but that their judgment is in another world.

[1] Then Job answered, and said: [2] Hear, I beseech you, my words, and do penance. [3] Suffer me, and I will speak, and after, if you please, laugh at my words. [4] Is my debate against man, that I should not have just reason to be troubled? [5] Hearken to me and be astonished, and lay your finger on your mouth.

[6] As for me, when I remember, I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh. [7] Why then do the wicked live, are they advanced, and strengthened with riches? [8] Their seed continueth before them, a multitude of kinsmen, and of children’s children in their sight. [9] Their houses are secure and peaceable, and the rod of God is not upon them. [10] Their cattle have conceived, and failed not: their cow has calved, and is not deprived of her fruit.

[11] Their little ones go out like a flock, and their children dance and play. [12] They take the timbrel, and the harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ. [13] They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment they go down to hell. [14] Who have said to God: Depart from us, we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. [15] Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what doth it profit us if we pray to him?

[16] Yet because their good things are not in their hand, may the counsel of the wicked be far from me. [17] How often shall the lamp of the wicked be put out, and a deluge come upon them, and he shall distribute the sorrows of his wrath? [18] They shall be as chaff before the face of the wind, and as ashes which the whirlwind scattereth. [19] God shall lay up the sorrow of the father for his children: and when he shall repay, then shall he know. [20] His eyes shall see his own destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.

[21] For what is it to him what befalleth his house after him: and if the number of his months be diminished by one half? [22] Shall any one teach God knowledge, who judgeth those that are high? [23] One man dieth strong, and hale, rich and happy. [24] His bowels are full of fat, and his bones are moistened with marrow. [25] But another dieth in bitterness of soul without any riches:

[26] And yet they shall sleep together in the dust, and worms shall cover them. [27] Surely I know your thoughts, and your unjust judgments against me. [28] For you say: Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked? [29] Ask any one of them that go by the way, and you shall perceive that he knoweth these same things. [30] Because the wicked man is reserved to the day of destruction, and he shall be brought to the day of wrath.

[31] Who shall reprove his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done? [32] He shall be brought to the graves, and shall watch in the heap of the dead. [33] He hath been acceptable to the gravel of Cocytus, and he shall draw every man after him, and there are innumerable before him. [34] How then do ye comfort me in vain, whereas your answer is shewn to be repugnant to truth?

Commentary

[33] “Acceptable to the gravel of Cocytus”: The Hebrew word, which St. Jerome has here rendered by the name Cocytus, (which the poets represent as a river in hell,) signifies a valley or a torrent: and in this place, is taken for the low region of death and hell: which willingly, as it were, receives the wicked at their death: who are ushered in by innumerable others that have gone before them; and are followed by multitudes above number.