Parallel Bible results for "job 21"

Job 21

New International Version NIV

1 Then Job replied:

2 “Listen carefully to my words; let this be the consolation you give me.

3 Bear with me while I speak, and after I have spoken, mock on.

4 “Is my complaint directed to a human being? Why should I not be impatient?

5 Look at me and be appalled; clap your hand over your mouth.

6 When I think about this, I am terrified; trembling seizes my body.

7 Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?

8 They see their children established around them, their offspring before their eyes.

9 Their homes are safe and free from fear; the rod of God is not on them.

10 Their bulls never fail to breed; their cows calve and do not miscarry.

11 They send forth their children as a flock; their little ones dance about.

12 They sing to the music of timbrel and lyre; they make merry to the sound of the pipe.

13 They spend their years in prosperity and go down to the grave in peace.

14 Yet they say to God, ‘Leave us alone! We have no desire to know your ways.

15 Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain by praying to him?’

16 But their prosperity is not in their own hands, so I stand aloof from the plans of the wicked.

17 “Yet how often is the lamp of the wicked snuffed out? How often does calamity come upon them, the fate God allots in his anger?

18 How often are they like straw before the wind, like chaff swept away by a gale?

19 It is said, ‘God stores up the punishment of the wicked for their children.’ Let him repay the wicked, so that they themselves will experience it!

20 Let their own eyes see their destruction; let them drink the cup of the wrath of the Almighty.

21 For what do they care about the families they leave behind when their allotted months come to an end?

22 “Can anyone teach knowledge to God, since he judges even the highest?

23 One person dies in full vigor, completely secure and at ease,

24 well nourished in body,bones rich with marrow.

25 Another dies in bitterness of soul, never having enjoyed anything good.

26 Side by side they lie in the dust, and worms cover them both.

27 “I know full well what you are thinking, the schemes by which you would wrong me.

28 You say, ‘Where now is the house of the great, the tents where the wicked lived?’

29 Have you never questioned those who travel? Have you paid no regard to their accounts—

30 that the wicked are spared from the day of calamity, that they are delivered from the day of wrath?

31 Who denounces their conduct to their face? Who repays them for what they have done?

32 They are carried to the grave, and watch is kept over their tombs.

33 The soil in the valley is sweet to them; everyone follows after them, and a countless throng goes before them.

34 “So how can you console me with your nonsense? Nothing is left of your answers but falsehood!”

New King James Version NKJV

1 Then Job answered and said:

2 "Listen carefully to my speech, And let this be your consolation.

3 Bear with me that I may speak, And after I have spoken, keep mocking.

4 "As for me, is my complaint against man? And if it were, why should I not be impatient?

5 Look at me and be astonished; Put your hand over your mouth.

6 Even when I remember I am terrified, And trembling takes hold of my flesh.

7 Why do the wicked live and become old, Yes, become mighty in power?

8 Their descendants are established with them in their sight, And their offspring before their eyes.

9 Their houses are safe from fear, Neither is the rod of God upon them.

10 Their bull breeds without failure; Their cow calves without miscarriage.

11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, And their children dance.

12 They sing to the tambourine and harp, And rejoice to the sound of the flute.

13 They spend their days in wealth, And in a moment go down to the grave.

14 Yet they say to God, 'Depart from us, For we do not desire the knowledge of Your ways.

15 Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? And what profit do we have if we pray to Him?'

16 Indeed their prosperity is not in their hand; The counsel of the wicked is far from me.

17 "How often is the lamp of the wicked put out? How often does their destruction come upon them, The sorrows God distributes in His anger?

18 They are like straw before the wind, And like chaff that a storm carries away.

19 They say, 'God lays up one's iniquity for his children'; Let Him recompense him, that he may know it.

20 Let his eyes see his destruction, And let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty.

21 For what does he care about his household after him, When the number of his months is cut in half?

22 "Can anyone teach God knowledge, Since He judges those on high?

23 One dies in his full strength, Being wholly at ease and secure;

24 His pails are full of milk, And the marrow of his bones is moist.

25 Another man dies in the bitterness of his soul, Never having eaten with pleasure.

26 They lie down alike in the dust, And worms cover them.

27 "Look, I know your thoughts, And the schemes with which you would wrong me.

28 For you say, 'Where is the house of the prince? And where is the tent, The dwelling place of the wicked?'

29 Have you not asked those who travel the road? And do you not know their signs?

30 For the wicked are reserved for the day of doom; They shall be brought out on the day of wrath.

31 Who condemns his way to his face? And who repays him for what he has done?

32 Yet he shall be brought to the grave, And a vigil kept over the tomb.

33 The clods of the valley shall be sweet to him; Everyone shall follow him, As countless have gone before him.

34 How then can you comfort me with empty words, Since falsehood remains in your answers?"