Parallel Bible results for "job 21"

Job 21

The Bible in Basic English BBE

1 Then Job made answer and said,

2 Give attention with care to my words; and let this be your comfort.

3 Let me say what is in my mind, and after that, go on making sport of me.

4 As for me, is my outcry against man? is it then to be wondered at if my spirit is troubled?

5 Take note of me and be full of wonder, put your hand on your mouth.

6 At the very thought of it my flesh is shaking with fear.

7 Why is life given to the evil-doers? why do they become old and strong in power?

8 Their children are ever with them, and their offspring before their eyes.

9 Their houses are free from fear, and the rod of God does not come on them.

10 Their ox is ready at all times to give seed; their cow gives birth, without dropping her young.

11 They send out their young ones like a flock, and their children have pleasure in the dance,

12 They make songs to the instruments of music, and are glad at the sound of the pipe.

13 Their days come to an end without trouble, and suddenly they go down to the underworld.

14 Though they said to God, Go away from us, for we have no desire for the knowledge of your ways.

15 What is the Ruler of all, that we may give him worship? and what profit is it to us to make prayer to him?

16 Truly, is not their well-being in their power? (The purpose of the evil-doers is far from me.)

17 How frequently is the light of the evil-doers put out, or does trouble come on them? how frequently does his wrath take them with cords?

18 How frequently are they as dry stems before the wind, or as grass taken away by the storm-wind?

19 You say, God keeps punishment stored up for his children. Let him send it on the man himself, so that he may have the punishment of it!

20 Let his eyes see his trouble, and let him be full of the wrath of the Ruler of all!

21 For what interest has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is ended?

22 Is anyone able to give teaching to God? for he is the judge of those who are on high.

23 One comes to his end in complete well-being, full of peace and quiet:

24 His buckets are full of milk, and there is no loss of strength in his bones.

25 And another comes to his end with a bitter soul, without ever tasting good.

26 Together they go down to the dust, and are covered by the worm.

27 See, I am conscious of your thoughts, and of your violent purposes against me;

28 For you say, Where is the house of the ruler, and where is the tent of the evil-doer?

29 Have you not put the question to the travellers, and do you not take note of their experience?

30 How the evil man goes free in the day of trouble, and has salvation in the day of wrath?

31 Who will make his way clear to his face? and if he has done a thing, who gives him punishment for it?

32 He is taken to his last resting-place, and keeps watch over it.

33 The earth of the valley covering his bones is sweet to him, and all men come after him, as there were unnumbered before him.

34 Why then do you give me comfort with words in which there is no profit, when you see that there is nothing in your answers but deceit?

Good News Translation GNT

1 Listen to what I am saying;

2 that is all the comfort I ask from you.

3 Give me a chance to speak and then, when I am through, sneer if you like.

4 My quarrel is not with mortals; I have good reason to be impatient.

5 Look at me. Isn't that enough to make you stare in shocked silence?

6 When I think of what has happened to me, I am stunned, and I tremble and shake.

7 Why does God let evil people live, let them grow old and prosper?

8 They have children and grandchildren, and live to watch them all grow up.

9 God does not bring disaster on their homes; they never have to live in terror.

10 Yes, all their cattle breed and give birth without trouble.

11 Their children run and play like lambs

12 and dance to the music of harps and flutes.

13 They live out their lives in peace and quietly die without suffering.

14 The wicked tell God to leave them alone; they don't want to know his will for their lives.

15 They think there is no need to serve God nor any advantage in praying to him.

16 They claim they succeed by their own strength, but their way of thinking I can't accept.

17 Was a wicked person's light ever put out? Did one of them ever meet with disaster? Did God ever punish the wicked in anger

18 and blow them away like straw in the wind, or like dust carried away in a storm?

19 You claim God punishes a child for the sins of his father. No! Let God punish the sinners themselves; let him show that he does it because of [their ]sins.

20 Let sinners bear their own punishment; let them feel the wrath of Almighty God.

21 When our lives are over, do we really care whether our children are happy?

22 Can anyone teach God, who judges even those in high places?

23 Some people stay healthy till the day they die; they die happy and at ease, their bodies well-nourished.

25 Others have no happiness at all; they live and die with bitter hearts.

26 But all alike die and are buried; they all are covered with worms.

27 I know what spiteful thoughts you have.

28 You ask, "Where are the homes of great people now, those who practiced evil?"

29 Haven't you talked with people who travel? Don't you know the reports they bring back?

30 On the day God is angry and punishes, it is the wicked who are always spared.

31 There is no one to accuse the wicked or pay them back for all they have done.

32 When they are carried to the graveyard, to their well-guarded tombs,

33 thousands join the funeral procession, and even the earth lies gently on their bodies.

34 And you! You try to comfort me with nonsense! Every answer you give is a lie!