Job 21
NIV Parallel NET [BSB CSB ESV HCS KJV ISV NAS NET NIV NLT HEB]
New International VersionNET Bible
1Then Job replied:1Then Job answered:
2"Listen carefully to my words; let this be the consolation you give me.2"Listen carefully to my words; let this be the consolation you offer me.
3Bear with me while I speak, and after I have spoken, mock on.3Bear with me and I will speak, and after I have spoken you may mock.
4"Is my complaint directed to a human being? Why should I not be impatient?4Is my complaint against a man? If so, why should I not be impatient?
5Look at me and be appalled; clap your hand over your mouth.5Look at me and be appalled; put your hands over your mouths.
6When I think about this, I am terrified; trembling seizes my body.6For, when I think about this, I am terrified and my body feels a shudder.
7Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?7"Why do the wicked go on living, grow old, even increase in power?
8They see their children established around them, their offspring before their eyes.8Their children are firmly established in their presence, their offspring before their eyes.
9Their homes are safe and free from fear; the rod of God is not on them.9Their houses are safe and without fear; and no rod of punishment from God is upon them.
10Their bulls never fail to breed; their cows calve and do not miscarry.10Their bulls breed without fail; their cows calve and do not miscarry.
11They send forth their children as a flock; their little ones dance about.11They allow their children to run like a flock; their little ones dance about.
12They sing to the music of timbrel and lyre; they make merry to the sound of the pipe.12They sing to the accompaniment of tambourine and harp, and make merry to the sound of the flute.
13They spend their years in prosperity and go down to the grave in peace.13They live out their years in prosperity and go down to the grave in peace.
14Yet they say to God, 'Leave us alone! We have no desire to know your ways.14So they say to God, 'Turn away from us! We do not want to know your ways.
15Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain by praying to him?'15Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain if we were to pray to him?'
16But their prosperity is not in their own hands, so I stand aloof from the plans of the wicked.16But their prosperity is not their own doing. The counsel of the wicked is far from me!
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?17"How often is the lamp of the wicked extinguished? How often does their misfortune come upon them? How often does God apportion pain to them in his anger?
18How often are they like straw before the wind, like chaff swept away by a gale?18How often are they like straw before the wind, and like chaff swept away by a whirlwind?
19It 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!19You may say, 'God stores up a man's punishment for his children!' Instead let him repay the man himself so that he may know it!
20Let their own eyes see their destruction; let them drink the cup of the wrath of the Almighty.20Let his own eyes see his destruction; let him drink of the anger of the Almighty.
21For what do they care about the families they leave behind when their allotted months come to an end?21For what is his interest in his home after his death, when the number of his months has been broken off?
22"Can anyone teach knowledge to God, since he judges even the highest?22Can anyone teach God knowledge, since he judges those that are on high?
23One person dies in full vigor, completely secure and at ease,23"One man dies in his full vigor, completely secure and prosperous,
24well nourished in body, bones rich with marrow.24his body well nourished, and the marrow of his bones moist.
25Another dies in bitterness of soul, never having enjoyed anything good.25And another man dies in bitterness of soul, never having tasted anything good.
26Side by side they lie in the dust, and worms cover them both.26Together they lie down in the dust, and worms cover over them both.
27"I know full well what you are thinking, the schemes by which you would wrong me.27"Yes, I know what you are thinking, the schemes by which you would wrong me.
28You say, 'Where now is the house of the great, the tents where the wicked lived?'28For you say, 'Where now is the nobleman's house, and where are the tents in which the wicked lived?'
29Have you never questioned those who travel? Have you paid no regard to their accounts--29Have you never questioned those who travel the roads? Do you not recognize their accounts--
30that the wicked are spared from the day of calamity, that they are delivered from the day of wrath?30that the evil man is spared from the day of his misfortune, that he is delivered from the day of God's wrath?
31Who denounces their conduct to their face? Who repays them for what they have done?31No one denounces his conduct to his face; no one repays him for what he has done.
32They are carried to the grave, and watch is kept over their tombs.32And when he is carried to the tombs, and watch is kept over the funeral mound,
33The soil in the valley is sweet to them; everyone follows after them, and a countless throng goes before them.33The clods of the torrent valley are sweet to him; behind him everybody follows in procession, and before him goes a countless throng.
34"So how can you console me with your nonsense? Nothing is left of your answers but falsehood!"34So how can you console me with your futile words? Nothing is left of your answers but deception!"
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. //netbible.com. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Job 20
Top of Page
Top of Page