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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Job 21:16 Still, their prosperity is not in their own hands, so I stay far from the counsel of the wicked.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/job/21-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/18_Job_21_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Job 21:16 - Job: God will Punish the Wicked" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Still, their prosperity is not in their own hands, so I stay far from the counsel of the wicked." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/job/21-16.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/job/21-16.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/job/">Job</a> > <a href="/job/21.htm">Chapter 21</a> > Verse 16</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad16.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/job/21-15.htm" title="Job 21:15">◄</a> Job 21:16 <a href="/job/21-17.htm" title="Job 21:17">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/job/21.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/job/21.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />But their prosperity is not in their own hands, so I stand aloof from the plans of the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/job/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />(They think their prosperity is of their own doing, but I will have nothing to do with that kind of thinking.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/job/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Behold, is not their prosperity in their hand? The counsel of the wicked is far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/job/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Still, their prosperity is not in their own hands, so I stay far from the counsel of the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/job/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Lo, their good <i>is</i> not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/job/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Indeed their prosperity <i>is</i> not in their hand; The counsel of the wicked is far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/job/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Behold, their prosperity is not in their hand; The advice of the wicked is far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/job/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Behold, their prosperity is not in their hand; The counsel of the wicked is far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/job/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Behold, their prosperity is not in their hand; The counsel of the wicked is far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/job/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Behold, their prosperity is not in their hand; The counsel of the wicked is far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/job/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“<i>But</i> notice, the prosperity <i>of the wicked</i> is not in their hand (in their power); The counsel of the wicked [and the mystery of God’s dealings with the ungodly] is far from my comprehension.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/job/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But their prosperity is not of their own doing. The counsel of the wicked is far from me!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/job/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But their prosperity is not of their own doing. The counsel of the wicked is far from me! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/job/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Lo, their prosperity is not in their hand: The counsel of the wicked is far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/job/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />We succeeded all on our own." And so, I keep away from them and their evil schemes. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/job/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Lo, their prosperity is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/job/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Anyhow, isn't their happiness in their own power? (The plan of the wicked is foreign to my way of thinking.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/job/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They claim they succeed by their own strength, but their way of thinking I can't accept. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/job/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Behold! Their prosperity isn't in their control! The counsel of the wicked will remain far from me."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/job/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Still, their prosperity is not in their own hands, so I stay far from the counsel of the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/job/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But their prosperity is not their own doing. The counsel of the wicked is far from me! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/job/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Look, their prosperity is not in their hand. The counsel of the wicked is far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/job/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/job/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Behold, their prosperity is not in their hand. The counsel of the wicked is far from me. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/job/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Behold, their good [is] not in their hand "" (The counsel of the wicked "" Has been far from me).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/job/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Lo, not in their hand is their good, (The counsel of the wicked Hath been far from me.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/job/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Behold, their good not in the hand: the counsel of the unjust was far from me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/job/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Yet because their good things are not in their hand, may the counsel of the wicked be far from me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/job/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />It is true that their good things are not in their power. May the counsel of the impious be far from me!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/job/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Their happiness is not in their own hands. The designs of the wicked are far from me! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/job/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Is not their prosperity indeed their own achievement? The plans of the wicked are repugnant to me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/job/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Lo, they have no power over their prosperity; the counsel of the ungodly is far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/job/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Behold, their benefit was not by their hands, and the thinking of the wicked is far from me<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/job/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Lo, their prosperity is not in their hand; The counsel of the wicked is far from me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/job/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For their good things were in <i>their</i> hands, but he regards not the works of the ungodly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/job/21-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XAwuD5NuZq0?start=3255" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/job/21.htm">Job: God will Punish the Wicked</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what would we gain if we pray to Him?’ <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2005.htm" title="2005: hên (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! A primitive particle; lo!; also if.">Still,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2898.htm" title="2898: ṭū·ḇām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- Good things, goods, goodness. From towb; good, in the widest sense, especially goodness, beauty, gladness, welfare.">their prosperity is</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: ḇə·yā·ḏām (Prep-b:: N-fsc:: 3mp) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">in their own hands,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7368.htm" title="7368: rā·ḥă·qāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To be or become far or distant. A primitive root; to widen, i.e. recede or remove.">so I stay far</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: men·nî (Prep:: 1cs) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6098.htm" title="6098: ‘ă·ṣaṯ (N-fsc) -- Counsel, advice. From ya'ats; advice; by implication, plan; also prudence.">from the counsel</a> <a href="/hebrew/7563.htm" title="7563: rə·šā·‘îm (Adj-mp) -- Wicked, criminal. From rasha'; morally wrong; concretely, an bad person.">of the wicked.</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>How often is the lamp of the wicked put out? Does disaster come upon them? Does God, in His anger, apportion destruction?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/73-12.htm">Psalm 73:12</a></span><br />Behold, these are the wicked—always carefree as they increase their wealth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/1-32.htm">Proverbs 1:32</a></span><br />For the waywardness of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/12-1.htm">Jeremiah 12:1-2</a></span><br />Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? / You planted them, and they have taken root. They have grown and produced fruit. You are ever on their lips, but far from their hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/37-7.htm">Psalm 37:7</a></span><br />Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men prosper in their ways, when they carry out wicked schemes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/49-6.htm">Psalm 49:6-7</a></span><br />They trust in their wealth and boast in their great riches. / No man can possibly redeem his brother or pay his ransom to God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/8-14.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:14</a></span><br />There is a futility that is done on the earth: There are righteous men who get what the actions of the wicked deserve, and there are wicked men who get what the actions of the righteous deserve. I say that this too is futile.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/10-3.htm">Psalm 10:3</a></span><br />For the wicked man boasts in the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/17-14.htm">Psalm 17:14</a></span><br />from such men, O LORD, by Your hand—from men of the world whose portion is in this life. May You fill the bellies of Your treasured ones and satisfy their sons, so they leave their abundance to their children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/92-7.htm">Psalm 92:7</a></span><br />that though the wicked sprout like grass, and all evildoers flourish, they will be forever destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/3-33.htm">Proverbs 3:33</a></span><br />The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-45.htm">Matthew 5:45</a></span><br />that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-16.htm">Luke 12:16-21</a></span><br />Then He told them a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced an abundance. / So he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?’ / Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and will build bigger ones, and there I will store up all my grain and my goods. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-1.htm">James 5:1-6</a></span><br />Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/6-9.htm">1 Timothy 6:9-10</a></span><br />Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. / For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/6-17.htm">1 Timothy 6:17</a></span><br />Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">See, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.</p><p class="hdg">Lo</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/1-21.htm">Job 1:21</a></b></br> And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/12-9.htm">Job 12:9,10</a></b></br> Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/49-6.htm">Psalm 49:6,7</a></b></br> They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; … </p><p class="hdg">the counsel</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/22-18.htm">Job 22:18</a></b></br> Yet he filled their houses with good <i>things</i>: but the counsel of the wicked is far from me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/49-6.htm">Genesis 49:6</a></b></br> O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/1-1.htm">Psalm 1:1</a></b></br> Blessed <i>is</i> the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_samuel/18-13.htm">Aloof</a> <a href="/job/19-19.htm">Counsel</a> <a href="/job/21-7.htm">Evil-Doers</a> <a href="/job/19-13.htm">Far</a> <a href="/job/21-13.htm">Good</a> <a href="/job/21-5.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/job/20-28.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/job/21-7.htm">Power</a> <a href="/job/21-13.htm">Prosperity</a> <a href="/job/14-3.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/job/19-25.htm">Stand</a> <a href="/job/20-21.htm">Well-Being</a> <a href="/job/21-7.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/22-18.htm">Aloof</a> <a href="/job/22-18.htm">Counsel</a> <a href="/job/21-17.htm">Evil-Doers</a> <a href="/job/22-18.htm">Far</a> <a href="/job/21-25.htm">Good</a> <a href="/job/23-2.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/job/22-30.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/job/22-8.htm">Power</a> <a href="/job/21-23.htm">Prosperity</a> <a href="/job/22-18.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/job/22-18.htm">Stand</a> <a href="/job/21-23.htm">Well-Being</a> <a href="/job/21-17.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Job 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/21-1.htm">Job shows that even in the judgment of man he has reason to be grieved</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/21-7.htm">Sometimes the wicked prosper, though they despise God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/21-16.htm">Sometimes their destruction is manifest</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/21-21.htm">The happy and unhappy are alike in death</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/job/21-27.htm">The judgment of the wicked is in another world</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/job/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/job/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Still, their prosperity is not in their own hands</b><br>This phrase reflects the belief that true prosperity is ultimately governed by God, not by human effort or control. In the context of Job, it challenges the assumption that wealth and success are direct indicators of righteousness. This idea is echoed in <a href="/proverbs/16-9.htm">Proverbs 16:9</a>, which states that while humans plan their course, the Lord establishes their steps. Theologically, this underscores the sovereignty of God over human affairs, a recurring theme throughout the Bible. Historically, the ancient Near Eastern cultures often attributed prosperity to divine favor, yet Job's assertion here questions the simplistic equation of wealth with divine approval.<p><b>so I stay far from the counsel of the wicked</b><br>Job distances himself from the advice and lifestyle of the wicked, emphasizing his commitment to righteousness despite his suffering. This reflects <a href="/psalms/1.htm">Psalm 1:1</a>, which blesses those who do not walk in the counsel of the wicked. The cultural context of the time often saw the wicked as those who defied God's laws and pursued selfish gain. Job's stance is a declaration of his integrity and faithfulness to God, even when the prosperity of the wicked seems to contradict divine justice. This also foreshadows the New Testament teaching in <a href="/1_corinthians/15-33.htm">1 Corinthians 15:33</a>, which warns that bad company corrupts good character, highlighting the importance of aligning oneself with godly counsel.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/job.htm">Job</a></b><br>The central figure in the Book of Job, a man of great faith and integrity who undergoes severe trials and suffering. In this chapter, Job is responding to his friends' arguments about the prosperity of the wicked.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wicked.htm">The Wicked</a></b><br>Refers to those who live in opposition to God's ways, often prospering in worldly terms despite their unrighteousness.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/job's_friends.htm">Job's Friends</a></b><br>Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who argue that suffering is a result of personal sin and that prosperity is a sign of righteousness.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/u/uz.htm">Uz</a></b><br>The land where Job lived, often associated with the region east of Israel, possibly in Edom or northern Arabia.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The ultimate judge and sovereign ruler, whose wisdom and justice are central themes in the Book of Job.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_illusion_of_self-sufficiency.htm">The Illusion of Self-Sufficiency</a></b><br>The prosperity of the wicked is not truly in their control; it is temporary and ultimately subject to God's sovereignty.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/avoiding_the_counsel_of_the_wicked.htm">Avoiding the Counsel of the Wicked</a></b><br>Believers are called to distance themselves from ungodly advice and practices, recognizing that true wisdom comes from God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trusting_in_god's_justice.htm">Trusting in God's Justice</a></b><br>Even when the wicked seem to prosper, trust that God's justice will prevail in His perfect timing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_temporary_nature_of_earthly_prosperity.htm">The Temporary Nature of Earthly Prosperity</a></b><br>Earthly wealth and success are fleeting; eternal values and righteousness should be our focus.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_perspective.htm">The Importance of Perspective</a></b><br>Maintaining a godly perspective helps us navigate the apparent injustices of life, keeping our faith anchored in God's promises.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_job_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Job 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_reformed_epistemology.htm">What does 'lamp of the wicked' mean in Proverbs?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_job_21_19-21_clash_with_individual_sin.htm">In Job 21:19-21, does the idea of children suffering for a parent's wrongdoing clash with other biblical teachings on individual responsibility?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_job_20_6-7_align_with_history.htm">In Job 20:6-7, how can Zophar's claim that the wicked perish quickly align with historical records showing many oppressive rulers prospered for extended periods?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_wicked_prosper_despite_job_11_20.htm">Job 11:20 asserts the wicked lose hope, yet history and modern times show many unethical people prosper. How is this reconciled?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/job/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) L<span class= "bld">o, their good </span>(<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>their prosperity) <span class= "bld">is not in their own hand.</span>--And that constitutes the mystery of it, for it is God who gives it to them; or the words may be a hypothetical answer to his statement, thus, "Lo, thou repliest, their prosperity is not," &c.; and then the words, "the counsel of the wicked is far from me," are Job's indignant repudiation of all knowledge of their reasoning.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/job/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Lo, their good is not in their hand</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> their prosperity is not in their own power, not the result of their own efforts. God's providence is, at least, one element in it, since he exalts men and abases them, he casteth down and lifteth up. Hence it would seem to follow that they are his favourites. Shall Job therefore cast in his lot with them? No, he says, a thousand times, No! <span class="cmt_word">The counsel of the wicked is far from me</span>; or better, <span class="accented">be the counsel of the wicked far from me!</span> I will have nothing to do with it. I will cling to God. I will maintain my integrity. Satan had charged Job with serving God for the sake of temporal reward. Job had disproved the charge by still clinging to God, notwithstanding all his afflictions. Now he goes further, and declines to throw in his lot with the wicked, even although it should appear that the balance of prosperity is with them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/job/21-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Yet</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵ֤ן</span> <span class="translit">(hên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2005.htm">Strong's 2005: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo! behold!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their prosperity [is]</span><br /><span class="heb">טוּבָ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(ṭū·ḇām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2898.htm">Strong's 2898: </a> </span><span class="str2">Good, goodness, beauty, gladness, welfare</span><br /><br /><span class="word">not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in their own hands,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְיָדָ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·yā·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so I stay far</span><br /><span class="heb">רָ֣חֲקָה</span> <span class="translit">(rā·ḥă·qāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7368.htm">Strong's 7368: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be or become far or distant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from the counsel</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲצַ֥ת</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·ṣaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6098.htm">Strong's 6098: </a> </span><span class="str2">Advice, plan, prudence</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the wicked.</span><br /><span class="heb">רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים</span> <span class="translit">(rə·šā·‘îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7563.htm">Strong's 7563: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wrong, an, bad person</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/job/21-16.htm">Job 21:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/job/21-16.htm">Job 21:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/job/21-16.htm">Job 21:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/job/21-16.htm">Job 21:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/job/21-16.htm">Job 21:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/job/21-16.htm">Job 21:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/job/21-16.htm">Job 21:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/job/21-16.htm">Job 21:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/job/21-16.htm">Job 21:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/job/21-16.htm">Job 21:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/job/21-16.htm">OT Poetry: Job 21:16 Behold their prosperity is not in their (Jb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/job/21-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Job 21:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Job 21:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/job/21-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Job 21:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Job 21:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>