Job 21:15

13 They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.

14 Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.

What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?

16 Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.

17 How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, and what would we gain if we pray to Him?’
KJV
What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
WEB
What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What profit should we have, if we pray to him?’
ASV
What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
DARBY
What is the Almighty that we should serve him? and what are we profited if we pray unto him?
BLB
What [is] Shaddai that we should serve Him? And what do we gain that we should meet with Him?’
ÅB
Hva er den Allmektige, at vi skulle tjene ham, og hva gagn skulle vi ha av å vende oss til ham med bønn?
OTB
Hvem er Den Allmektige, at vi skulle tjene ham?
Hva gagn har vi av å be til ham?’
B1930
Hvad er den Allmektige, at vi skulde tjene ham, og hvad gagn skulde vi ha av å vende oss til ham med bønn?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Exodus 5:2

    And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.

    Read in context
  • Job 34:9

    For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.

    Read in context
  • Malachi 1:13–14

    Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 12:4

    Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 30:11

    Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 30:9

    Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

    Read in context
  • Job 35:3

    For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin?

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 45:19

    I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.

    Read in context