Job 21:2
New International Version
“Listen carefully to my words; let this be the consolation you give me.

New Living Translation
“Listen closely to what I am saying. That’s one consolation you can give me.

English Standard Version
“Keep listening to my words, and let this be your comfort.

Berean Standard Bible
“Listen carefully to my words; let this be your consolation to me.

King James Bible
Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations.

New King James Version
“Listen carefully to my speech, And let this be your consolation.

New American Standard Bible
“Listen carefully to my speech, And let this be your way of consolation.

NASB 1995
“Listen carefully to my speech, And let this be your way of consolation.

NASB 1977
“Listen carefully to my speech, And let this be your way of consolation.

Legacy Standard Bible
“Listen carefully to my speech, And let this be your way of consolation.

Amplified Bible
“Listen carefully to my speech, And let this be the consolation.

Christian Standard Bible
Pay close attention to my words; let this be the consolation you offer.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Pay close attention to my words; let this be the consolation you offer.

American Standard Version
Hear diligently my speech; And let this be your consolations.

Contemporary English Version
If you want to offer comfort, then listen to me.

English Revised Version
Hear diligently my speech; and let this be your consolations.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Listen carefully to my words, and let that be the comfort you offer me.

International Standard Version
"Listen carefully to my words; let this encourage all of you.

Majority Standard Bible
“Listen carefully to my words; let this be your consolation to me.

NET Bible
"Listen carefully to my words; let this be the consolation you offer me.

New Heart English Bible
"Listen diligently to my speech. Let this be your consolation.

Webster's Bible Translation
Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations.

World English Bible
“Listen diligently to my speech. Let this be your consolation.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“Hear my word diligently, "" And this is your consolation.

Young's Literal Translation
Hear ye diligently my word, And this is your consolation.

Smith's Literal Translation
Hearing, hear ye my speech, and this shall be your consolations.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Hear, I beseech you, my words, and do penance.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I beseech you to hear my words and to do penance.

New American Bible
At least listen to my words, and let that be the consolation you offer.

New Revised Standard Version
“Listen carefully to my words, and let this be your consolation.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Listen diligently to my speech, and let this be your consolation.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
“Listen to hear my words and it will be understanding among you
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Hear diligently my speech; And let this be your consolations.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Hear ye, hear ye my words, that I may not have this consolation from you.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job: God will Punish the Wicked
1Then Job answered: 2“Listen carefully to my words; let this be your consolation to me. 3Bear with me while I speak; then, after I have spoken, you may go on mocking.…

Cross References
Job 13:6
Hear now my argument, and listen to the plea of my lips.

Job 16:2-3
“I have heard many things like these; miserable comforters are you all. / Is there no end to your long-winded speeches? What provokes you to continue testifying?

Job 19:2
“How long will you torment me and crush me with your words?

Job 6:24
Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand how I have erred.

Job 23:4
I would plead my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments.

Job 33:1
“But now, O Job, hear my speech, and listen to all my words.

Job 34:2
“Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning.

Job 42:4
You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak. I will question you, and you shall inform Me.’

Proverbs 18:13
He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him.

Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.

Isaiah 41:1
“Be silent before Me, O islands, and let the peoples renew their strength. Let them come forward and testify; let us together draw near for judgment.

Jeremiah 9:20
Now, O women, hear the word of the LORD. Open your ears to the word of His mouth. Teach your daughters to wail, and one another to lament.

Matthew 11:15
He who has ears, let him hear.

Matthew 13:9
He who has ears, let him hear.”

Mark 4:24
He went on to say, “Pay attention to what you hear. With the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and even more will be added to you.


Treasury of Scripture

Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations.

Hear

Job 13:3,4
Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God…

Job 18:2
How long will it be ere ye make an end of words? mark, and afterwards we will speak.

Job 33:1,31-33
Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words…

let this be

Job 15:11
Are the consolations of God small with thee? is there any secret thing with thee?

Job 16:2
I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.

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Job 21
1. Job shows that even in the judgment of man he has reason to be grieved
7. Sometimes the wicked prosper, though they despise God
16. Sometimes their destruction is manifest
21. The happy and unhappy are alike in death
27. The judgment of the wicked is in another world














Listen carefully to my words
In this opening phrase, Job implores his friends to give earnest attention to his speech. The Hebrew root for "listen" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which conveys not just hearing, but an active, attentive listening that leads to understanding and response. This is a call for empathy and patience, urging his friends to truly consider his perspective. In the context of the ancient Near Eastern culture, where oral communication was paramount, this plea underscores the importance of dialogue and the respectful exchange of ideas. Job's request is a reminder of the value of listening in our relationships, especially when others are in distress.

let this be your consolation
Here, Job seeks consolation from his friends, not through their words, but by their willingness to hear him out. The Hebrew word for "consolation" is "תַּנְחוּמָה" (tanchumah), which implies comfort and solace. In the broader scriptural context, true consolation often comes from understanding and presence rather than mere words. Job's friends had previously offered explanations and judgments, but Job desires their support through empathetic listening. This reflects a profound truth in Christian teaching: that sometimes the greatest comfort we can offer is our presence and willingness to listen, echoing the ministry of presence that Jesus exemplified.

(2) Hear diligently my speech.--"Listen to my words, and let that be the consolation you give me."



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Listen
שִׁמְע֣וּ (šim·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

carefully
שָׁ֭מוֹעַ (mō·w·a‘)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

to my words;
מִלָּתִ֑י (mil·lā·ṯî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 4405: A word, a discourse, a topic

let this
זֹ֝֗את (zōṯ)
Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

be
וּתְהִי־ (ū·ṯə·hî-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Jussive - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

your consolation [to me].
תַּנְח֥וּמֹֽתֵיכֶֽם׃ (tan·ḥū·mō·ṯê·ḵem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 8575: Compassion, solace


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OT Poetry: Job 21:2 Listen diligently to my speech (Jb)
Job 21:1
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