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Job chapter 21

English Standard Version

1Then Job answered and said:
2 "Keep listening to my words, and let this be your comfort. 3Bear with me, and I will speak, and after I have spoken, mock on. 4As for me, is my complaint against man? Why should I not be impatient? 5Look at me and be appalled, and lay your hand over your mouth. 6When I remember, I am dismayed, and shuddering seizes my flesh. 7 Why do the wicked live, reach old age, and grow mighty in power? 8Their offspring are established in their presence, and their descendants before their eyes. 9Their houses are safe from fear, and no rod of God is upon them. 10Their bull breeds without fail; their cow calves and does not miscarry. 11They send out their little boys like a flock, and their children dance. 12They sing to the tambourine and the lyre and rejoice to the sound of the pipe. 13They spend their days in prosperity, and in peace they go down to Sheol. 14They say to God, ‘Depart from us! We do not desire the knowledge of your ways. 15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what profit do we get if we pray to him?’ 16Behold, is not their prosperity in their hand? The counsel of the wicked is far from me. 17"How often is it that the lamp of the wicked is put out? That their calamity comes upon them? That God distributes pains in his anger? 18That they are like straw before the wind, and like chaff that the storm carries away? 19You say, ‘God stores up their iniquity for their children.’ Let him pay it out to them, that they may know it. 20Let their own eyes see their destruction, and let them drink of the wrath of the Almighty. 21For what do they care for their houses after them, when the number of their months is cut off? 22 Will any teach God knowledge, seeing that he judges those who are on high? 23One dies in his full vigor, being wholly at ease and secure, 24his pails full of milk and the marrow of his bones moist. 25Another dies in bitterness of soul, never having tasted of prosperity. 26They lie down alike in the dust, and the worms cover them. 27"Behold, I know your thoughts and your schemes to wrong me. 28For you say, ‘Where is the house of the prince? Where is the tent in which the wicked lived?’ 29Have you not asked those who travel the roads, and do you not accept their testimony 30that the evil man is spared in the day of calamity, that he is rescued in the day of wrath? 31Who declares his way to his face, and who repays him for what he has done? 32When he is carried to the grave, watch is kept over his tomb. 33 The clods of the valley are sweet to him; all mankind follows after him, and those who go before him are innumerable. 34How then will you comfort me with empty nothings? There is nothing left of your answers but falsehood."
New International Version

1Then Job replied:
2"Listen carefully to my words; let this be the consolation you give me.
3Bear 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? 5Look at me and be appalled; clap your hand over your mouth. 6When I think about this, I am terrified; trembling seizes my body. 7Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power? 8They see their children established around them, their offspring before their eyes. 9Their homes are safe and free from fear; the rod of God is not on them. 10Their bulls never fail to breed; their cows calve and do not miscarry. 11They send forth their children as 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. 13They spend 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. 15Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain by praying to him?’
16But 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? 18How often are they like straw before the wind, like chaff swept away by a gale? 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! 20Let their own eyes see their destruction; let them drink the cup of the wrath of the Almighty.
21For 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? 23One person dies in full vigor, completely secure and at ease, 24well nourished in body, bones rich with marrow. 25Another dies in bitterness of soul, never having enjoyed anything good.
26Side 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. 28You say, ‘Where now is the house of the great, the tents where the wicked lived?’ 29Have you never questioned those who travel? Have you paid no regard to their accounts— 30that the wicked are spared from the day of calamity, that they are delivered from the day of wrath? 31Who denounces their conduct to their face? Who repays them for what they have done? 32They are carried to the grave, and watch is kept over their tombs.
33The 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 American Standard Bible

1Then Job responded,
2'Listen carefully to my speech, And let this be your way of consolation. 3Bear with me that I may speak; Then after I have spoken, you may mock me. 4As for me, is my complaint to a mortal? Or why should I not be impatient? 5Look at me, and be astonished, And put your hand over your mouth. 6Even when I remember, I am disturbed, And horror takes hold of my flesh. 7Why do the wicked still live, Grow old, and also become very powerful? 8Their descendants endure with them in their sight, And their offspring before their eyes, 9Their houses are safe from fear, And the rod of God is not on them. 10His ox mates without fail; His cow calves and does not miscarry. 11They send out their boys like the flock, And their children dance. 12They sing with the tambourine and harp, And rejoice at the sound of the flute. 13They spend their days in prosperity, And suddenly they go down to Sheol. 14Yet they say to God, ‘Go away from us! We do not even desire the knowledge of Your ways. 15 Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, And what would we gain if we plead with Him?’ 16Behold, their prosperity is not in their hand; The advice of the wicked is far from me. 17'How often is the lamp of the wicked put out, Or does their disaster fall on them? Does God apportion destruction in His anger? 18Are they as straw before the wind, And like chaff which the storm carries away? 19 You say, ‘God saves up a person’s wrongdoing for his sons.’ Let God repay him so that he may know it. 20Let his own eyes see his destruction, And let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty. 21For what does he care about his household after him, When the number of his months is at an end? 22Can anyone teach God knowledge, In that He judges those on high? 23One dies in his full strength, Being wholly undisturbed and at ease; 24His sides are filled with fat, And the marrow of his bones is wet, 25While another dies with a bitter soul, Never even tasting anything good. 26Together they lie down in the dust, And maggots cover them. 27'Behold, I know your thoughts, And the plots you devise against me. 28For you say, ‘Where is the house of the nobleman, And where is the tent, the dwelling places of the wicked?’ 29Have you not asked travelers, And do you not examine their evidence? 30For the wicked person is spared a day of disaster; They are led away from a day of fury. 31Who confronts him with his actions, And who repays him for what he has done? 32When he is carried to the grave, People will keep watch over his tomb. 33The clods of the valley will gently cover him; Moreover, all mankind will follow after him, While countless others go before him. 34So how dare you give me empty comfort? For your answers remain nothing but falsehood!'
Christian Standard Bible

1Then Job answered:
2Pay close attention to my words; let this be the consolation you offer.
3Bear with me while I speak; then after I have spoken, you may continue mocking. 4As for me, is my complaint against a human being? Then why shouldn’t I be impatient? 5Look at me and shudder; put your hand over your mouth. 6When I think about it, I am terrified and my body trembles in horror. 7Why do the wicked continue to live, growing old and becoming powerful? 8Their children are established while they are still alive, and their descendants, before their eyes. 9Their homes are secure and free of fear; no rod from God strikes them. 10Their bulls breed without fail; their cows calve and do not miscarry. 11They let their little ones run around like lambs; their children skip about, 12singing to the tambourine and lyre and rejoicing at the sound of the flute. 13They spend their days in prosperity and go down to Sheol in peace. 14Yet they say to God, "Leave us alone! We don’t want to know your ways. 15Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him, and what will we gain by pleading with him?"
16But their prosperity is not of their own doing. The counsel of the wicked is far from me! 17How often is the lamp of the wicked put out? Does disaster come on them? Does he apportion destruction in his anger? 18Are they like straw before the wind, like chaff a storm sweeps away? 19God reserves a person’s punishment for his children. Let God repay the person himself, so that he may know it. 20Let his own eyes see his demise; let him drink from the Almighty’s wrath!
21For what does he care about his family once he is dead, when the number of his months has run out? 22Can anyone teach God knowledge, since he judges the exalted ones? 23One person dies in excellent health, completely secure and at ease. 24His body is well fed, and his bones are full of marrow. 25Yet another person dies with a bitter soul, having never tasted prosperity.
26But they both lie in the dust, and worms cover them. 27I know your thoughts very well, the schemes by which you would wrong me. 28For you say, "Where now is the nobleman’s house?" and "Where are the tents the wicked lived in?" 29Have you never consulted those who travel the roads? Don’t you accept their reports? 30Indeed, the evil person is spared from the day of disaster, rescued from the day of wrath. 31Who would denounce his behavior to his face? Who would repay him for what he has done? 32He is carried to the grave, and someone keeps watch over his tomb.
33The dirt on his grave is sweet to him. Everyone follows behind him, and those who go before him are without number. 34So how can you offer me such futile comfort? Your answers are deceptive.
New Living Translation

1Then Job spoke again:
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.
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. 6When I think about what I am saying, I shudder. My body trembles.
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. 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. 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. 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. 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.)
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!
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. 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? 23One person dies in prosperity, completely comfortable and secure, 24the picture of good health, vigorous and fit. 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.
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. 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. 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. 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!'
King James Version

1But Job answered and said, 2Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations.
3Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.
4As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled?
5Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.
6Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh. 7Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?
8Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
9Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.
10Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
11They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
12They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.
13They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.
14Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
15What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
16Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me. 17How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.
18They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.
19God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it.
20His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
21For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?
22Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high. 23One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.
24His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.
25And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.
26They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them. 27Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.
28For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked?
29Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens,
30That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.
31Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?
32Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.
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 comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?
New King James Version

1Then Job answered and said:
2“Listen carefully to my speech, And let this be your consolation. 3Bear 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? 5Look at me and be astonished; Put your hand over your mouth. 6Even 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? 8Their descendants are established with them in their sight, And their offspring before their eyes. 9Their houses are safe from fear, Neither is the rod of God upon them. 10Their bull breeds without failure; Their cow calves without miscarriage. 11They send forth their little ones like a flock, And their children dance. 12They sing to the tambourine and harp, And rejoice to the sound of the flute. 13They 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?’ 16Indeed 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. 20Let his eyes see his destruction, And let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty. 21For 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? 23One dies in his full strength, Being wholly at ease and secure; 24His pails are full of milk, And the marrow of his bones is moist. 25Another man dies in the bitterness of his soul, Never having eaten with pleasure. 26They 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. 28For you say, ‘Where is the house of the prince? And where is the tent, The dwelling place of the wicked?’ 29Have 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. 31Who condemns his way to his face? And who repays him for what he has done? 32Yet he shall be brought to the grave, And a vigil kept over the tomb. 33The clods of the valley shall be sweet to him; Everyone shall follow him, As countless have gone before him. 34How then can you comfort me with empty words, Since falsehood remains in your answers?”

What does Job chapter 21 mean?

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