Contemporary English Version Job's Reply to ZopharIf You Want To Offer Comfort1Job said: 2If you want to offer comfort, then listen to me. 3And when I have finished, you can start your insults all over again. 4My complaint is against God; that's why I am impatient. 5Just looking at me is enough to make you sick, 6and the very thought of myself fills me with disgust. 7Why do evil people live so long and gain such power? 8Why are they allowed to see their children grow up?+ 9They have no worries at home, and God never punishes them. 10Their cattle have lots of calves without ever losing one; 11their children play and dance safely by themselves. 12These people sing and celebrate to the sound of tambourines, small harps, and flutes, 13and they are successful, without a worry, until the day they die. Leave Us Alone!14Those who are evil say to God All-Powerful, “Leave us alone! Don't bother us with your teachings. 15What do we gain from praying and worshiping you? 16We succeeded all on our own.” And so, I keep away from them and their evil schemes. 17How often does God become angry and send disaster and darkness to punish sinners? 18How often does he strike them like a windstorm that scatters straw? 19You say, “God will punish those sinners' children in place of those sinners.” But I say, “Let him punish those sinners themselves until they really feel it. 20Let God All-Powerful force them to drink their own destruction from the cup of his anger. 21Because after they are dead, they won't care what happens to their children.” Who Can Tell God What To Do?22Who can tell God what to do? He judges powerful rulers. * 23Some of us die prosperous, 24enjoying good health, 25while others die in poverty, having known only pain. 26But we all end up dead, beneath a blanket of worms. 27My friends, I know that you are plotting against me. 28You ask, “Where is the home of that important person who does so much evil?” 29Everyone, near and far, agrees 30that those who do wrong never suffer disaster, when God becomes angry. 31No one points out their sin or punishes them. 32Then at their funerals, they are highly praised; 33the earth welcomes them home, while crowds mourn. 34But empty, meaningless words are the comfort you offer me. Footnotes: Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®) © 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved. Bible text from the Contemporary English Version 2nd Edition (CEV®) is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by American Bible Society, 101 North Independence Mall East, Floor 8, Philadelphia, PA 19106-2155 (www.americanbible.org). Learn more at www.cev.bible. Discover .BIBLE resources for your ministry at www.get.bible/cev Bible Hub |