International Standard Version

King James Bible

1In response, Job said:

1But Job answered and said,

2"Listen carefully to my words; let this encourage all of you.

2Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations.

3Bear with me and let me speak! Then, after I've spoken, you'll be free to mock me.

3Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.

4After all, isn't my complaint against a human being? If so, why shouldn't I be impatient?

4As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled?

5Look at me, be appalled, and then shut up!

5Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.

6When I think about this, I'm petrified with terror and my body shudders uncontrollably."

6Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.

7"Why do the wicked live to reach old age and increase in power and wealth, too?

7Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?

8Their children grow up while they're alive, and they live to see their grandchildren.

8Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.

9Their houses are safe from fear, and God's chastisement never visits them.

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

10Their bull breeds without fail, and their cows calve without miscarriages.

10Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.

11They release their children to play like sheep; their young ones dance about,

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

12singing with tambourines and lyres as they rejoice to the sound of flutes.

12They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.

13They grow old in prosperity, as they descend peacefully into the afterlife.

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

14"They say to God, 'Turn away from us! We have no desire to know your ways.

14Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.

15Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? Where's the profit in talking to him?'

15What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?

16Behold! Their prosperity isn't in their control! The counsel of the wicked will remain far from me."

16Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.

17"How often do the wicked have their lights put out? Does calamity ever fall on them? Will God in his anger ever apportion their destruction?

17How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.

18May they become like a straw, blown away before the wind; like a chaff that's swept off by a storm.

18They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.

19God stores up their iniquity to repay their children; making them repay so that they may be aware.

19God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it.

20Their own eyes will see their destruction; and they'll drink the wrath of the Almighty.

20His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.

21What will they care for their household after them, when the number of his months comes to an end?"

21For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?

22"Can God learn anything? After all, he will judge even the exalted ones.

22Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high.

23Such persons will die in their full vigor, completely prosperous and secure.

23One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.

24His buckets are filled with milk, his bone marrow is healthy.

24His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.

25Others die with a bitter soul, never having tasted the good life.

25And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.

26They both lie down in the dust; and worms cover them."

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

27"Look! I know your thoughts, your plans are going to harm me.

27Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.

28You ask, 'Where is the noble person's house?' and 'Where are the tents where the wicked live?'

28For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked?

29Haven't you asked travelers on the highway? Don't you accept their word

29Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens,

30that the wicked person is spared from times of calamity, that he is rescued on the day of wrath?

30That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.

31Who will expose his conduct to his face? Who will repay him for what he has done

31Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?

32when he is carried away to the cemetery and guardians are placed to watch his tomb?

32Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.

33The runoff from the streams will seem sweet to him; everyone will follow after him; countless crows march ahead of him.

33The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him.

34How then, can you console me so worthlessly? What is left of your answers is treachery."

34How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?

The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.