Parallel Bible results for "job 33"

Job 33

CEB

MSG

1 But now, listen to me, Job; pay attention to all my words.
1 "So please, Job, hear me out, honor me by listening to me.
2 Notice that I am opening my mouth; my tongue is speaking in my mouth.
2 What I'm about to say has been carefully thought out.
3 My words come from a virtuous heart; my lips speak knowledge clearly.
3 I have no ulterior motives in this; I'm speaking honestly from my heart.
4 God's spirit made me; the Almighty's breath enlivens me.
4 The Spirit of God made me what I am, the breath of God Almighty gave me life! God Always Answers, One Way or Another
5 If you are able, answer me; lay out your case before me and take a stand.
5 "And if you think you can prove me wrong, do it. Lay out your arguments. Stand up for yourself!
6 Notice that I'm just like you to God; I also was pinched from clay.
6 Look, I'm human - no better than you; we're both made of the same kind of mud.
7 Surely fear of me shouldn't scare you; my pressure on you shouldn't be heavy.
7 So let's work this through together; don't let my aggressiveness overwhelm you.
8 You certainly said in my hearing; I heard the sound of your words:
8 "Here's what you said. I heard you say it with my own ears.
9 "I'm pure, without sin; I'm innocent, without offense.
9 You said, 'I'm pure - I've done nothing wrong. Believe me, I'm clean - my conscience is clear.
10 Notice that he invents arguments against me; he considers me his enemy,
10 But God keeps picking on me; he treats me like I'm his enemy.
11 ties up my feet, watches all my paths."
11 He's thrown me in jail; he keeps me under constant surveillance.'
12 Now you're wrong about this; I'll answer you, for God is greater than anybody.
12 "But let me tell you, Job, you're wrong, dead wrong! God is far greater than any human.
13 Why do you contend with him, saying that he doesn't answer all your words?
13 So how dare you haul him into court, and then complain that he won't answer your charges?
14 God speaks in one way, in two ways, but no one perceives it.
14 God always answers, one way or another, even when people don't recognize his presence.
15 In the dream, a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon humans, during their slumber on a bed,
15 "In a dream, for instance, a vision at night, when men and women are deep in sleep, fast asleep in their beds -
16 then he opens people's ears, scares them with warnings,
16 God opens their ears and impresses them with warnings
17 to turn them from a deed and to smother human pride.
17 To turn them back from something bad they're planning, from some reckless choice,
18 He keeps one from the pit, a life from perishing by the sword.
18 And keep them from an early grave, from the river of no return.
19 Or a person may be disciplined by pain while in bed, bones ever aching
19 "Or, God might get their attention through pain, by throwing them on a bed of suffering,
20 until a person loathes food, an appetite rejects a delicacy;
20 So they can't stand the sight of food, have no appetite for their favorite treats.
21 the flesh wastes away, no longer visible; the bones, once hidden, protrude.
21 They lose weight, wasting away to nothing, reduced to a bag of bones.
22 A life approaches the pit; its very being draws near the death dealers.
22 They hang on the cliff-edge of death, knowing the next breath may be their last.
23 Surely there's a messenger for this person, a mediator, one out of a thousand to declare one's integrity to another
23 "But even then an angel could come, a champion - there are thousands of them! - to take up your cause,
24 so that God has compassion on that person and says, "Rescue this one from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom."
24 A messenger who would mercifully intervene, canceling the death sentence with the words: 'I've come up with the ransom!'
25 That person's flesh is renewed like a child's; they regain their youth.
25 Before you know it, you're healed, the very picture of health!
26 They pray to God, and God is pleased with them; they behold God's presence with a joyful shout. God rewards a person's righteousness.
26 "Or, you may fall on your knees and pray - to God's delight! You'll see God's smile and celebrate, finding yourself set right with God.
27 They sing before people and say: "I have sinned, perverted justice, but didn't experience the consequences.
27 You'll sing God's praises to everyone you meet, testifying, 'I messed up my life - and let me tell you, it wasn't worth it.
28 He ransomed me from crossing into the pit; my life beholds light."
28 But God stepped in and saved me from certain death. I'm alive again! Once more I see the light!'
29 Look, God does all this, twice, three times with persons
29 "This is the way God works. Over and over again
30 to bring them back from the pit, to shine with life's light.
30 He pulls our souls back from certain destruction so we'll see the light - and live in the light!
31 Listen, Job; hear me; be quiet, and I will speak.
31 "Keep listening, Job. Don't interrupt - I'm not finished yet.
32 If you have words, answer me; speak, for I want to be innocent.
32 But if you think of anything I should know, tell me. There's nothing I'd like better than to see your name cleared.
33 If not, you must hear me; be quiet, and I will teach you wisdom.
33 Meanwhile, keep listening. Don't distract me with interruptions. I'm going to teach you the basics of wisdom."
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.