Job 21:7-21

7Why do wicked people continue to live for a long time? The older they become, the more power they have.

8They see their own children grow and become strong. Their children also have strong families.

9They are safe in their homes and they are not afraid. God does not punish them.

10Their cows give birth safely to many calves.

11Their children run and play. They jump like young lambs.

12They enjoy the music of tambourines and harps. They sing with joy to the sound of flutes.

13Wicked people have plenty of money through their whole lives. Even when they die, they do not suffer.

14They say to God, “Leave us alone! We do not want to know about your ways.

15We do not need to serve the Almighty God. If we pray to him, there is nothing he can do to help us.”

16They think that they have made themselves rich. But it is not true. So I do not listen to the things that wicked people say.

17It seems that wicked people enjoy a long life. They do not often have many troubles. When God is angry with them, he does not cause them to suffer.

18He does not blow them away, like the wind blows dry grass. They do not disappear like chaff that a storm blows away.

19You may say, “God will punish a wicked person's children with the punishment that he deserves.” But I say that God should punish the wicked person himself. Then he will realize that he is wicked.

20Wicked people should receive their own punishment. They should see that Almighty God is angry with them.

21After wicked people have died, it does not matter to them if their family suffers.