Parallel Bible results for "job 21"

Job 21

Common English Bible CEB

1 Then Job answered:

2 Listen carefully to my remarks and let that comfort you.

3 Bear with me so I can speak, I myself; and after my reply you can mock.

4 Are my complaints against another human; why is my patience short?

5 Turn to me and be appalled; lay your hand over your mouth.

6 If I recall it, I'm scared; shaking seizes my body.

7 Why do the wicked live, grow old, and even become strong?

8 Their children are always with them, their offspring in their sight,

9 their houses safe from dread, God's punishing stick not upon them.

10 Their bull always breeds successfully; their cows give birth and never miscarry.

11 They send forth their little ones like sheep; their infants bounce around.

12 They raise drum and lyre, rejoice at the sound of a flute.

13 They spend their days contentedly, go down to the grave peacefully.

14 They say to God, "Turn away from us; we take no pleasure in knowing your ways;

15 who is the Almighty that we should serve him, and what can we gain if we meet him?"

16 Look, isn't their well-being the work of their own hands? A sinner's logic is beyond me.

17 How often does the lamp of the wicked flicker or disaster come upon them, with its fury inflicting pain on them?

18 Let them be like straw in the wind, like dry grass stolen by a storm.

19 God stores up his punishment for his children. Let him destroy them so they know.

20 Let their own eyes witness their doom. Let them drink from the Almighty's wrath.

21 What do they care about their household after they die, when their numbered days are cut off?

22 Will they instruct God— he who judges the most powerful?

23 Someone dies in wonderful health, completely comfortable and well,

24 their buckets full of milk, their bones marrow-filled and sound.

25 Another dies in bitter spirit, never having tasted the good things.

26 They lie together in the dust and worms cover them.

27 Look, I know your thoughts; your plans harm me.

28 You say, "Where is the official's house? Where is the tent, the dwelling of the wicked?"

29 Haven't you asked travelers or paid attention to their reports?

30 On the day of disaster the wicked are spared; on the day of fury they are rescued.

31 Who can criticize their behavior to their faces; they act, and who can avenge them?

32 They are carried to their graves; someone keeps guard over their tombs.

33 The soil near the desert streambed is sweet to them; everyone marches after them— those before them, beyond counting.

34 How empty is your comfort to me; only deceit remains in your responses.

The Message Bible MSG

1 Job replied:

2 "Now listen to me carefully, please listen, at least do me the favor of listening.

3 Put up with me while I have my say - then you can mock me later to your heart's content.

4 "It's not you I'm complaining to - it's God. Is it any wonder I'm getting fed up with his silence?

5 Take a good look at me. Aren't you appalled by what's happened? No! Don't say anything. I can do without your comments.

6 When I look back, I go into shock, my body is racked with spasms.

7 Why do the wicked have it so good, live to a ripe old age and get rich?

8 They get to see their children succeed, get to watch and enjoy their grandchildren.

9 Their homes are peaceful and free from fear; they never experience God's disciplining rod.

10 Their bulls breed with great vigor and their cows calve without fail.

11 They send their children out to play and watch them frolic like spring lambs.

12 They make music with fiddles and flutes, have good times singing and dancing.

13 They have a long life on easy street, and die painlessly in their sleep.

14 They say to God, 'Get lost! We've no interest in you or your ways.

15 Why should we have dealings with God Almighty? What's there in it for us?'

16 But they're wrong, dead wrong - they're not gods. It's beyond me how they can carry on like this!

17 "Still, how often does it happen that the wicked fail, or disaster strikes, or they get their just deserts?

18 How often are they blown away by bad luck? Not very often.

19 You might say, 'God is saving up the punishment for their children.' I say, 'Give it to them right now so they'll know what they've done!'

20 They deserve to experience the effects of their evil, feel the full force of God's wrath firsthand.

21 What do they care what happens to their families after they're safely tucked away in the grave? Fancy Funerals with All the Trimmings

22 "But who are we to tell God how to run his affairs? He's dealing with matters that are way over our heads.

23 Some people die in the prime of life, with everything going for them -

24 fat and sassy.

25 Others die bitter and bereft, never getting a taste of happiness.

26 They're laid out side by side in the cemetery, where the worms can't tell one from the other.

27 "I'm not deceived. I know what you're up to, the plans you're cooking up to bring me down.

28 Naively you claim that the castles of tyrants fall to pieces, that the achievements of the wicked collapse.

29 Have you ever asked world travelers how they see it? Have you not listened to their stories

30 Of evil men and women who got off scot-free, who never had to pay for their wickedness?

31 Did anyone ever confront them with their crimes? Did they ever have to face the music?

32 Not likely - they're given fancy funerals with all the trimmings,

33 Gently lowered into expensive graves, with everyone telling lies about how wonderful they were.

34 "So how do you expect me to get any comfort from your nonsense? Your so-called comfort is a tissue of lies."