Job 32; Job 33; Job 34

Viewing Multiple Passages

Job 32

1 These three men stopped answering Job because Job thought he was righteous.

2 Then Elihu, son of Barachel, a descendant of Buz from the family of Ram, became very angry with Job because Job thought he was more righteous than God.

3 Elihu was also very angry with Job's three friends because they had found no answer. They made it look as if God were wrong.

4 Elihu waited as they spoke to Job because they were older than he was.

5 When Elihu saw that the three men had no further responses, he became very angry.

6 So Elihu, son of Barachel, the descendant of Buz, replied [to Job], "I am young, and you are old. That's why I refrained from speaking and was afraid to tell you what I know.

7 I thought, 'Age should speak, and experience should teach wisdom.'

8 However, there is in humans a Spirit, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.

9 People do not become wise merely because they live long. They don't understand what justice is merely because they're old.

10 "That is why I say, 'Listen to me! Let me tell you what I know.'

11 I waited for you to speak. I listened for you to share your understanding until you could find the right words.

12 I've paid close attention to you, but none of you refuted Job. None of you has an answer to what he says.

13 So don't say, 'We've found wisdom. Let God, not humans, defeat him.'

14 Job did not choose his words to refute me, so I won't answer him with your speeches.

15 "Job's friends have been overwhelmed and don't have any more answers. They don't have another word to say.

16 Should I wait because they don't speak, because they stand there and don't have any more answers?

17 "I'll give my answer. I'll tell you what I know.

18 I'm full of words. The Spirit within me forces me [to speak].

19 My belly is like [a bottle of] wine that has not been opened, like new wineskins that are ready to burst.

20 I must speak to get relief. I must open my mouth and answer.

21 I won't be partial toward anyone or flatter anyone.

22 I don't know how to flatter. If I did, my maker would soon carry me away.

Job 33

1 "Please, Job, listen to my words and consider everything I say.

2 I've opened my mouth. The words are on the tip of my tongue.

3 My words are straight from the heart, and I sincerely speak the knowledge that is on my lips.

4 "God's Spirit has made me. The breath of the Almighty gives me life.

5 Answer me if you can. Present your case to me, and take your stand.

6 Indeed, I stand in front of God as you do. I, too, was formed from a piece of clay.

7 You certainly don't need to be terrified of me. I won't put too much pressure on you.

8 "But you spoke directly to me, and I listened to your words.

9 [You said,] 'I'm pure--without any rebellious acts [against God]. I'm clean; I have no sin.

10 God is only looking for an excuse to attack me. He considers me his enemy.

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

12 You aren't right about this! I've got an answer for you: God is greater than any mortal.

13 Why do you quarrel with him since he doesn't answer any questions?

14 "God speaks in one way, even in two ways without people noticing it:

15 In a dream, a prophetic vision at night, when people fall into a deep sleep, when they sleep on their beds,

16 he opens people's ears and terrifies them with warnings.

17 [He warns them] to turn away from doing [wrong] and to stop being arrogant.

18 He keeps their souls from the pit and their lives from crossing the River [of Death].

19 In pain on their sickbeds, they are disciplined with endless aching in their bones

20 so that their whole being hates food and they lose their appetite for a delicious meal.

21 Their flesh becomes so thin that it can't be seen. Their bones, not seen before, will be exposed.

22 Their souls approach the pit. Their lives come close to those already dead.

23 "If they have a messenger for them, a spokesman, one in a thousand, to tell people what is right for them,

24 then he will have pity on them and say, 'Free them from going into the pit. I have found a ransom.'

25 Then their flesh will become softer than a child's. They will go back to the days of their youth.

26 They will pray to God, who will be pleased with them. They will see God's face and shout for joy as he restores their righteousness.

27 Each one sings in front of other people and says, 'I sinned and did wrong instead of what was right, and it did me no good.

28 The messenger has freed my soul from going into the pit, and my life will see the light.'

29 Truly, God does all this two or three times with people

30 to turn their souls away from the pit and to enlighten them with the light of life.

31 "Pay attention, Job! Listen to me! Keep quiet, and let me speak.

32 If you have a response, answer me. Speak, because I'd be happy if you were right.

33 If not, you listen to me. Keep quiet, and I'll teach you wisdom."

Job 34

1 Elihu continued to speak [to Job and his friends],

2 "Listen to my words, you wise men. Open your ears to me, you intelligent men.

3 The ear tests words like the tongue tastes food.

4 Let's decide for ourselves what is right and agree among ourselves as to what is good,

5 because Job has said, 'I'm righteous, but God has taken away my rights.

6 I'm considered a liar in spite of my rights. I've been wounded by a deadly arrow, though I haven't been disobedient.'

7 What person is like Job, who drinks scorn like water,

8 who travels with troublemakers and associates with evil people?

9 He says, 'It doesn't do any good to try to please God.'

10 "You people who have understanding, listen to me. It is unthinkable that God would ever do evil or that the Almighty would ever do wicked things.

11 God will repay humanity for what it has done and will give each person what he deserves.

12 Certainly, God will never do anything evil, and the Almighty will never pervert justice.

13 Who put him in charge of the earth? Who appointed him to be over the whole world?

14 If he thought only of himself and withdrew his Spirit and his breath,

15 all living beings would die together, and humanity would return to dust.

16 "If you understand, listen to this. Open your ears to my words!

17 Should anyone who hates justice be allowed to govern? Will you condemn the one who is righteous and mighty?

18 Should anyone [even] say to a king, 'You good-for-nothing scoundrel!' or to nobles, 'You wicked people!'

19 The one who is righteous and mighty does not grant special favors to princes or prefer important people over poor people because his hands made them all.

20 They die suddenly in the middle of the night. People have seizures and pass away. Mighty people are taken away but not by human hands.

21 God's eyes are on a person's ways. He sees all his steps.

22 There's no darkness or deep shadow where troublemakers can hide.

23 He doesn't have to set a time for a person in order to bring him to divine judgment.

24 He breaks mighty people into pieces without examining them and puts others in their places.

25 He knows what they do, so he overthrows them at night, and they're crushed.

26 In return for their evil, he strikes them in public,

27 because they turned away from following him and didn't consider any of his ways.

28 They forced the poor to cry out to him, and he hears the cry of those who suffer.

29 If he keeps quiet, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him whether it is a nation or a single person?

30 [He does this] so that godless people cannot rule and so that they cannot trap people.

31 "But suppose such a person says to God, 'I am guilty, I will stop my immoral behavior.

32 Teach me what I cannot see. If I've done wrong, I won't do it again.'

33 Should God reward you on your own terms since you have rejected his? You must choose, not I. Tell me what you know. Speak!

34 "People of understanding, the wise people who listen to me, will say,

35 'Job speaks without knowledge. His words show no insight.'

36 "My Father, let Job be thoroughly tested for giving answers like wicked people do.

37 He adds disobedience to his sin. He claps his hands to insult us. He multiplies his words against God."

Job 32; Job 33; Job 34

Viewing Multiple Passages

Share

Settings

Job 32

Job 33

Job 34