Job 21:16 net — But their prosperity is not their own doing. The counsel of the wicked is far from me!

NET Bible

"But their prosperity is not their own doing. The counsel of the wicked is far from me!"

— Job 21:16, NET Bible

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Job 21:16 in Other Translations

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Job 21 — Context

13

They live out their years in prosperity and go down to the grave in peace.

14

So they say to God,‘Turn away from us! We do not want to know your ways.

15

Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain if we were to pray to him?’

16

But their prosperity is not their own doing. The counsel of the wicked is far from me!

17

How Often Do the Wicked Suffer?“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?

18

How often are they like straw before the wind, and like chaff swept away by a whirlwind?

19

You may say,‘God stores up a man’s punishment for his children!’ Instead let him repay the man himself so that he may be humbled!

Job 21:16 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Job 21:16 say?
Job 21:16 in the NET Bible reads: “But their prosperity is not their own doing. The counsel of the wicked is far from me!”
Where is Job 21:16 in the Bible?
Job 21:16 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Job, chapter 21, verse 16.
Who wrote Job?
Job is traditionally attributed to Anonymous; among the oldest books of the Bible. It was written Unknown; possibly c. 2000–1800 BC, with composition c. 1400–500 BC.
What is the book of Job about?
Job is the ancient story of a righteous man stripped of everything he has, and the four friends who try and fail to explain his suffering. When God finally speaks, he does not answer the "why" — he reveals himself, and Job worships from a place deeper than his pain.
What are the major themes of Job?
Job explores themes including Suffering, Sovereignty, Faith Under Trial, Wisdom, God's Majesty. These themes shape the meaning and context of Job 21:16.
What translation should I read Job 21:16 in?
Job 21:16 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Job 21:16?
Job 21:16 reads (NET): “But their prosperity is not their own doing. The counsel of the wicked is far from me!” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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