Parallel Bible results for "job 33"

Job 33

English Standard Version ESV

1 "But now, hear my speech, O Job, and listen to all my words.

2 Behold, I open my mouth; the tongue in my mouth speaks.

3 My words declare the uprightness of my heart, and what my lips know they speak sincerely.

4 The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

5 Answer me, if you can; set your words in order before me; take your stand.

6 Behold, I am toward God as you are; I too was pinched off from a piece of clay.

7 Behold, no fear of me need terrify you; my pressure will not be heavy upon you.

8 "Surely you have spoken in my ears, and I have heard the sound of your words.

9 You say, 'I am pure, without transgression; I am clean, and there is no iniquity in me.

10 Behold, he finds occasions against me, he counts me as his enemy,

11 he puts my feet in the stocks and watches all my paths.'

12 "Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you, for God is greater than man.

13 Why do you contend against him, saying, 'He will answer none of man's words'?

14 For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it.

15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, while they slumber on their beds,

16 then he opens the ears of men and terrifies them with warnings,

17 that he may turn man aside from his deed and conceal pride from a man;

18 he keeps back his soul from the pit, his life from perishing by the sword.

19 "Man is also rebuked with pain on his bed and with continual strife in his bones,

20 so that his life loathes bread, and his appetite the choicest food.

21 His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen, and his bones that were not seen stick out.

22 His soul draws near the pit, and his life to those who bring death.

23 If there be for him an angel, a mediator, one of the thousand, to declare to man what is right for him,

24 and he is merciful to him, and says, 'Deliver him from going down into the pit; I have found a ransom;

25 let his flesh become fresh with youth; let him return to the days of his youthful vigor';

26 then manprays to God, and he accepts him; he sees his face with a shout of joy, and he restores to man his righteousness.

27 He sings before men and says: 'I sinned and perverted what was right, and it was not repaid to me.

28 He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit, and my life shall look upon the light.'

29 "Behold, God does all these things, twice, three times, with a man,

30 to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be lighted with the light of life.

31 Pay attention, O Job, listen to me; be silent, and I will speak.

32 If you have any words, answer me; speak, for I desire to justify you.

33 If not, listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom."

The Message Bible MSG

1 "So please, Job, hear me out, honor me by listening to me.

2 What I'm about to say has been carefully thought out.

3 I have no ulterior motives in this; I'm speaking honestly from my heart.

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 "And if you think you can prove me wrong, do it. Lay out your arguments. Stand up for yourself!

6 Look, I'm human - no better than you; we're both made of the same kind of mud.

7 So let's work this through together; don't let my aggressiveness overwhelm you.

8 "Here's what you said. I heard you say it with my own ears.

9 You said, 'I'm pure - I've done nothing wrong. Believe me, I'm clean - my conscience is clear.

10 But God keeps picking on me; he treats me like I'm his enemy.

11 He's thrown me in jail; he keeps me under constant surveillance.'

12 "But let me tell you, Job, you're wrong, dead wrong! God is far greater than any human.

13 So how dare you haul him into court, and then complain that he won't answer your charges?

14 God always answers, one way or another, even when people don't recognize his presence.

15 "In a dream, for instance, a vision at night, when men and women are deep in sleep, fast asleep in their beds -

16 God opens their ears and impresses them with warnings

17 To turn them back from something bad they're planning, from some reckless choice,

18 And keep them from an early grave, from the river of no return.

19 "Or, God might get their attention through pain, by throwing them on a bed of suffering,

20 So they can't stand the sight of food, have no appetite for their favorite treats.

21 They lose weight, wasting away to nothing, reduced to a bag of bones.

22 They hang on the cliff-edge of death, knowing the next breath may be their last.

23 "But even then an angel could come, a champion - there are thousands of them! - to take up your cause,

24 A messenger who would mercifully intervene, canceling the death sentence with the words: 'I've come up with the ransom!'

25 Before you know it, you're healed, the very picture of health!

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 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 But God stepped in and saved me from certain death. I'm alive again! Once more I see the light!'

29 "This is the way God works. Over and over again

30 He pulls our souls back from certain destruction so we'll see the light - and live in the light!

31 "Keep listening, Job. Don't interrupt - I'm not finished yet.

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 Meanwhile, keep listening. Don't distract me with interruptions. I'm going to teach you the basics of wisdom."