Parallel Bible results for "job 33"

Job 33

New Living Translation NLT

1 “Listen to my words, Job; pay attention to what I have to say.

2 Now that I have begun to speak, let me continue.

3 I speak with all sincerity; I speak the truth.

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

5 Answer me, if you can; make your case and take your stand.

6 Look, you and I both belong to God. I, too, was formed from clay.

7 So you don’t need to be afraid of me. I won’t come down hard on you.

8 “You have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard your very words.

9 You said, ‘I am pure; I am without sin; I am innocent; I have no guilt.

10 God is picking a quarrel with me, and he considers me his enemy.

11 He puts my feet in the stocks and watches my every move.’

12 “But you are wrong, and I will show you why. For God is greater than any human being.

13 So why are you bringing a charge against him? Why say he does not respond to people’s complaints?

14 For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it.

15 He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds.

16 He whispers in their ears and terrifies them with warnings.

17 He makes them turn from doing wrong; he keeps them from pride.

18 He protects them from the grave, from crossing over the river of death.

19 “Or God disciplines people with pain on their sickbeds, with ceaseless aching in their bones.

20 They lose their appetite for even the most delicious food.

21 Their flesh wastes away, and their bones stick out.

22 They are at death’s door; the angels of death wait for them.

23 “But if an angel from heaven appears— a special messenger to intercede for a person and declare that he is upright—

24 he will be gracious and say, ‘Rescue him from the grave, for I have found a ransom for his life.’

25 Then his body will become as healthy as a child’s, firm and youthful again.

26 When he prays to God, he will be accepted. And God will receive him with joy and restore him to good standing.

27 He will declare to his friends, ‘I sinned and twisted the truth, but it was not worth it.

28 God rescued me from the grave, and now my life is filled with light.’

29 “Yes, God does these things again and again for people.

30 He rescues them from the grave so they may enjoy the light of life.

31 Mark this well, Job. Listen to me, for I have more to say.

32 But if you have anything to say, go ahead. Speak, for I am anxious to see you justified.

33 But if not, then listen to me. Keep 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."