The Message Bible MSG
King James Version KJV
1 "So please, Job, hear me out, honor me by listening to me.
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Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.
2 What I'm about to say has been carefully thought out.
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Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.
3 I have no ulterior motives in this; I'm speaking honestly from my heart.
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My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.
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
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The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
5 "And if you think you can prove me wrong, do it. Lay out your arguments. Stand up for yourself!
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If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up.
6 Look, I'm human - no better than you; we're both made of the same kind of mud.
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Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay.
7 So let's work this through together; don't let my aggressiveness overwhelm you.
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Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.
8 "Here's what you said. I heard you say it with my own ears.
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Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,
9 You said, 'I'm pure - I've done nothing wrong. Believe me, I'm clean - my conscience is clear.
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I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.
10 But God keeps picking on me; he treats me like I'm his enemy.
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Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,
11 He's thrown me in jail; he keeps me under constant surveillance.'
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He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.
12 "But let me tell you, Job, you're wrong, dead wrong! God is far greater than any human.
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Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.
13 So how dare you haul him into court, and then complain that he won't answer your charges?
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Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.
14 God always answers, one way or another, even when people don't recognize his presence.
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For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
15 "In a dream, for instance, a vision at night, when men and women are deep in sleep, fast asleep in their beds -
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In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
16 God opens their ears and impresses them with warnings
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Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
17 To turn them back from something bad they're planning, from some reckless choice,
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That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
18 And keep them from an early grave, from the river of no return.
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He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
19 "Or, God might get their attention through pain, by throwing them on a bed of suffering,
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He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:
20 So they can't stand the sight of food, have no appetite for their favorite treats.
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So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.
21 They lose weight, wasting away to nothing, reduced to a bag of bones.
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His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.
22 They hang on the cliff-edge of death, knowing the next breath may be their last.
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Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.
23 "But even then an angel could come, a champion - there are thousands of them! - to take up your cause,
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If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:
24 A messenger who would mercifully intervene, canceling the death sentence with the words: 'I've come up with the ransom!'
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Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.
25 Before you know it, you're healed, the very picture of health!
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His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth:
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.
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He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.
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.
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He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;
28 But God stepped in and saved me from certain death. I'm alive again! Once more I see the light!'
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He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
29 "This is the way God works. Over and over again
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Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,
30 He pulls our souls back from certain destruction so we'll see the light - and live in the light!
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To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.
31 "Keep listening, Job. Don't interrupt - I'm not finished yet.
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Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.
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.
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If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.
33 Meanwhile, keep listening. Don't distract me with interruptions. I'm going to teach you the basics of wisdom."
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If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.
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.
The King James Version is in the public domain.