New Living Translation | New Living Translation |
1Then Job spoke again: | 1Then Job spoke again: |
2“Listen closely to what I am saying. That’s one consolation you can give me. | 2“Listen closely to what I am saying. That’s one consolation you can give me. |
3Bear with me, and let me speak. After I have spoken, you may resume mocking me. | 3Bear with me, and let me speak. After I have spoken, you may resume mocking me. |
4“My complaint is with God, not with people. I have good reason to be so impatient. | 4“My complaint is with God, not with people. I have good reason to be so impatient. |
5Look at me and be stunned. Put your hand over your mouth in shock. | 5Look at me and be stunned. Put your hand over your mouth in shock. |
6When I think about what I am saying, I shudder. My body trembles. | 6When I think about what I am saying, I shudder. My body trembles. |
7“Why do the wicked prosper, growing old and powerful? | 7“Why do the wicked prosper, growing old and powerful? |
8They live to see their children grow up and settle down, and they enjoy their grandchildren. | 8They live to see their children grow up and settle down, and they enjoy their grandchildren. |
9Their homes are safe from every fear, and God does not punish them. | 9Their homes are safe from every fear, and God does not punish them. |
10Their bulls never fail to breed. Their cows bear calves and never miscarry. | 10Their bulls never fail to breed. Their cows bear calves and never miscarry. |
11They let their children frisk about like lambs. Their little ones skip and dance. | 11They let their children frisk about like lambs. Their little ones skip and dance. |
12They sing with tambourine and harp. They celebrate to the sound of the flute. | 12They sing with tambourine and harp. They celebrate to the sound of the flute. |
13They spend their days in prosperity, then go down to the grave in peace. | 13They spend their days in prosperity, then go down to the grave in peace. |
14And yet they say to God, ‘Go away. We want no part of you and your ways. | 14And yet they say to God, ‘Go away. We want no part of you and your ways. |
15Who is the Almighty, and why should we obey him? What good will it do us to pray?’ | 15Who is the Almighty, and why should we obey him? What good will it do us to pray?’ |
16(They think their prosperity is of their own doing, but I will have nothing to do with that kind of thinking.) | 16(They think their prosperity is of their own doing, but I will have nothing to do with that kind of thinking.) |
17“Yet the light of the wicked never seems to be extinguished. Do they ever have trouble? Does God distribute sorrows to them in anger? | 17“Yet the light of the wicked never seems to be extinguished. Do they ever have trouble? Does God distribute sorrows to them in anger? |
18Are they driven before the wind like straw? Are they carried away by the storm like chaff? Not at all! | 18Are they driven before the wind like straw? Are they carried away by the storm like chaff? Not at all! |
19“‘Well,’ you say, ‘at least God will punish their children!’ But I say he should punish the ones who sin, so that they understand his judgment. | 19“‘Well,’ you say, ‘at least God will punish their children!’ But I say he should punish the ones who sin, so that they understand his judgment. |
20Let them see their destruction with their own eyes. Let them drink deeply of the anger of the Almighty. | 20Let them see their destruction with their own eyes. Let them drink deeply of the anger of the Almighty. |
21For they will not care what happens to their family after they are dead. | 21For they will not care what happens to their family after they are dead. |
22“But who can teach a lesson to God, since he judges even the most powerful? | 22“But who can teach a lesson to God, since he judges even the most powerful? |
23One person dies in prosperity, completely comfortable and secure, | 23One person dies in prosperity, completely comfortable and secure, |
24the picture of good health, vigorous and fit. | 24the picture of good health, vigorous and fit. |
25Another person dies in bitter poverty, never having tasted the good life. | 25Another person dies in bitter poverty, never having tasted the good life. |
26But both are buried in the same dust, both eaten by the same maggots. | 26But both are buried in the same dust, both eaten by the same maggots. |
27“Look, I know what you’re thinking. I know the schemes you plot against me. | 27“Look, I know what you’re thinking. I know the schemes you plot against me. |
28You will tell me of rich and wicked people whose houses have vanished because of their sins. | 28You will tell me of rich and wicked people whose houses have vanished because of their sins. |
29But ask those who have been around, and they will tell you the truth. | 29But ask those who have been around, and they will tell you the truth. |
30Evil people are spared in times of calamity and are allowed to escape disaster. | 30Evil people are spared in times of calamity and are allowed to escape disaster. |
31No one criticizes them openly or pays them back for what they have done. | 31No one criticizes them openly or pays them back for what they have done. |
32When they are carried to the grave, an honor guard keeps watch at their tomb. | 32When they are carried to the grave, an honor guard keeps watch at their tomb. |
33A great funeral procession goes to the cemetery. Many pay their respects as the body is laid to rest, and the earth gives sweet repose. | 33A great funeral procession goes to the cemetery. Many pay their respects as the body is laid to rest, and the earth gives sweet repose. |
34“How can your empty clichés comfort me? All your explanations are lies!” | 34“How can your empty clichés comfort me? All your explanations are lies!” |
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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