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Elihu continues to speak

33 ‘But now, Job, listen to the things that I will tell you.
Listen carefully to everything that I will say.
2 I will speak to you now.
I am ready to tell you what I think.
3 I am an honest man, so you can believe what I say.
I will tell you what I know is true.
4 The Spirit of Almighty God has made me.
His breath gives me life.
5 Answer me now, Job, if you can.
Prepare yourself.
Be ready to explain your problem to me.
6 Listen! When God looks at us,
we are the same as each other.
God used clay to make both of us.
7 So you should not be afraid of me.
I will not do anything to hurt you.

8 I have heard the things that you have said, Job.
This is what I heard you say:
9 “I am not guilty. I have not done anything that is wrong.
I am pure and clean.
10 But God has decided to punish me!
He attacks me as if I am his enemy.
11 He has tied my feet with chains.
He always watches me to see where I go.”

12 But now I tell you this, Job: You are not right!
God is greater than any human.
13 So you should not argue against him.
You should not say,
“God does not answer any of my questions.”
14 God does speak to people.
He speaks to them in many different ways.
But often people do not recognize his voice.
15 Sometimes God speaks to people in dreams and visions.
He speaks to them at night, while they sleep in bed.
16 He tells them about things that will happen.
He warns them about terrible things,
so that they are afraid.
17 He tells them to turn away from their sins.
He tells them not to be proud.
18 He keeps people safe from death,
so that they do not go to their graves.
19 Or God may warn people with a painful illness.
He may make their bodies hurt all the time.
20 Then they do not want to eat anything.
They cannot eat even the best food.
21 Their bodies become very thin.
People can even see their bones.
22 They will soon die and go to their graves.
Death is waiting to take them away.

23 But perhaps an angel may come
to help one of those people.
He may speak on behalf of God,
as a special angel among the many thousands of God's angels.
The angel may tell that person
how to live in a way that is right.
24 Then God will be kind to that person.
God will say, “Save that person,
so that he does not go to his grave.
I have found someone to pay the price for his life.
So keep him alive.”
25 Then that person's body will become healthy again.
He will be strong, like a young man.
26 When he prays to God,
God will be happy to answer him.
He will again worship God with joy.
And God will give him a good way of life again.
27 That person will say clearly to everyone,
“I did things that were not right.
I did wrong things,
but God did not punish me as I deserved.
28 God rescued me from death,
so that I did not go to my grave.
Now I will enjoy life in the light.”

29 God does all these things for people.
He does them many times.
30 He saves a person from death,
so that he does not go to his grave.
He gives light to that person,
so that he may enjoy his life.
31 Job, listen carefully to me.
Be quiet, and I will speak to you.
32 After that, you may answer me,
if you have something to say.
If I could say that you have not done anything wrong,
that would make me happy.
33 But if you have nothing to say,
then listen to me.
Be quiet and I will teach you how to be wise.’

33 “Now, Job, listen to me.
Listen carefully to what I say.
2 I am ready to speak.
3 My heart is honest, so my words are sincere.
I will speak the truth about what I know.
4 God’s Spirit made me.
My life comes from God All-Powerful.
5 Listen to me and answer if you can.
Get your arguments ready to face me.
6 You and I are the same before God.
He used clay to make us both.
7 Don’t be afraid of me.
I will not be hard on you.

8 “But, Job, I heard what you said.
These were your very words:
9 ‘I am pure and innocent;
I did nothing wrong; I am not guilty!
10 But God found an excuse to attack me.
He treats me like an enemy.
11 He put chains on my feet
and watches everything I do.’

12 “But you are wrong about this, and I will prove it to you.
God knows more than any of us. [ a ]
13 You are arguing with God!
Why do you think he should explain everything to you?
14 But maybe God does explain what he does
but speaks in ways that people don’t understand.
15 He may speak in a dream, or in a vision at night,
when people are in a deep sleep lying in their beds.
16 He may whisper something in their ear,
and they are frightened when they hear his warnings.
17 God warns people to stop them from doing wrong
and to keep them from becoming proud.
18 He does this to save them from death. [ b ]
He wants to keep them from being destroyed.

19 “Or those who are sick in bed might be suffering punishment from God.
The pain that makes their bones ache might be a warning from him.
20 They feel so bad they cannot eat.
Even the best food makes them sick.
21 Their bodies might waste away until they become thin
and all their bones stick out.
22 They might be close to death,
their lives about to end.
23 But maybe one of God’s thousands of angels is watching over them,
to speak for them and tell about the good things they have done.
24 Maybe the angel will be kind and say to God,
‘Save this one from the place of death!
I have found a way to pay for his life.’
25 Then that person’s body will become young and strong again.
He will be as he was when he was young.
26 He will pray and God will answer.
He will worship God and shout with joy.
He will again stand as right before God.
27 He will tell everyone, ‘I sinned.
I changed good into bad,
but God didn’t give me the punishment I deserved!
28 God saved me from going down to the place of death.
Now I can enjoy life again.’

29 “God does all these things for people again and again.
30 He wants them to be saved from death
so that they can enjoy life.

31 “Job, pay attention and listen to me.
Be quiet and let me talk.
32 But if you have an answer, go ahead and speak.
Tell me your argument.
I would be happy to know that you are innocent!
33 But if you have nothing to say, then listen to me.
Be quiet, and I will teach you wisdom.”

Footnotes

  1. Job 33:12 God … any of us Or “God is much greater than anyone.”
  2. Job 33:18 death Literally, “the Pit,” the place where people go when they die. Also in verse 22.

33 Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.

2 Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.

3 My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.

4 The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

5 If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up.

6 Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay.

7 Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.

8 Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,

9 I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.

10 Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,

11 He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.

12 Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.

13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.

14 For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.

15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;

16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,

17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.

18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.

19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:

20 So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.

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

22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.

23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:

24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.

25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth:

26 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 He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;

28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.

29 Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,

30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.

31 Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.

32 If thou hast anything to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.

33 If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.

Elihu Claims to Speak for God

33 “However, please ( A ) hear my speech, Job,
And listen to all my words.
2 Behold now, I open my mouth,
My tongue in my [ a ] mouth speaks.
3 My words are from the integrity of my heart,
And my lips speak ( B ) knowledge sincerely.
4 The ( C ) Spirit of God has made me,
And the ( D ) breath of [ b ] the Almighty gives me life.
5 ( E ) Refute me if you can;
Line up against me, take your stand.
6 Behold, I belong to God, like you;
I too have been [ c ] formed out of the ( F ) clay.
7 Behold, ( G ) no fear of me should terrify you,
Nor should my pressure weigh heavily on you.

8 “You have in fact spoken [ d ] while I listened,
And I heard the sound of your words:
9 ‘I am ( H ) pure, ( I ) without wrongdoing;
I am innocent and there ( J ) is no guilt in me.
10 Behold, He [ e ] invents [ f ] criticisms against me;
He ( K ) counts me as His enemy.
11 He ( L ) puts my feet in the stocks;
He watches all my paths.’
12 Behold, let me respond to you, ( M ) you are not right in this,
For God is greater than mankind.

13 “Why do you ( N ) complain to Him
That He does not give an account of all His doings?
14 Indeed ( O ) God speaks once,
Or twice, yet no one notices it.
15 In a ( P ) dream, a vision of the night,
When deep sleep falls on people,
While they slumber in their beds,
16 Then ( Q ) He opens the ears of people,
And horrifies them with warnings,
17 So that He may turn a person away from bad conduct,
And [ g ] keep a man from pride;
18 He ( R ) keeps his soul back from the pit,
And his life from perishing by the ( S ) spear.

19 “ A person is also rebuked by ( T ) pain in his bed,
And with constant complaint in his bones,
20 So that his life ( U ) loathes bread,
And his soul, food [ h ] that he should crave.
21 His ( V ) flesh wastes away from sight,
And his ( W ) bones, which were not seen, stick out.
22 Then ( X ) his soul comes near to the pit,
And his life to those who bring death.

23 “If there is an ( Y ) interceding angel for him,
One out of a thousand,
To remind a person of what is [ i ] right for him,
24 And he is gracious to him, and says,
‘Free him from ( Z ) going down to the pit,
I have found a ( AA ) ransom’;
25 Let his flesh become fresher than in youth,
Let him return to the days of his youthful vigor;
26 Then he will ( AB ) pray to God, and He will accept him,
So that ( AC ) he may see His face with joy,
And He will restore His righteousness to that person.
27 He will sing to people and say,
‘I ( AD ) have sinned and perverted what is right,
And it is not ( AE ) proper for me.
28 He has redeemed my soul from going to the pit,
And my life will ( AF ) see the light.’

29 “Behold, God does ( AG ) all these things for a man two or three times,
30 To ( AH ) bring back his soul from the pit,
So that he may be enlightened with the light of life.
31 Pay attention, Job, listen to me;
Keep silent, and let me speak.
32 Then if [ j ] you have anything to say, answer me;
Speak, for I would take pleasure in justifying you.
33 If not, ( AI ) listen to me;
Keep silent, and I will teach you wisdom.”

Footnotes

  1. Job 33:2 Lit palate
  2. Job 33:4 Heb Shaddai
  3. Job 33:6 Lit cut out of
  4. Job 33:8 Lit in my ears
  5. Job 33:10 Lit finds
  6. Job 33:10 Or complaints
  7. Job 33:17 Lit hide
  8. Job 33:20 Lit of craving
  9. Job 33:23 Lit his uprightness
  10. Job 33:32 Lit there are words

33 “But now, Job, listen ( A ) to my words;
pay attention to everything I say. ( B )
2 I am about to open my mouth;
my words are on the tip of my tongue.
3 My words come from an upright heart; ( C )
my lips sincerely speak what I know. ( D )
4 The Spirit ( E ) of God has made me; ( F )
the breath of the Almighty ( G ) gives me life. ( H )
5 Answer me ( I ) then, if you can;
stand up ( J ) and argue your case before me. ( K )
6 I am the same as you in God’s sight; ( L )
I too am a piece of clay. ( M )
7 No fear of me should alarm you,
nor should my hand be heavy on you. ( N )

8 “But you have said in my hearing—
I heard the very words—
9 ‘I am pure, ( O ) I have done no wrong; ( P )
I am clean and free from sin. ( Q )
10 Yet God has found fault with me;
he considers me his enemy. ( R )
11 He fastens my feet in shackles; ( S )
he keeps close watch on all my paths.’ ( T )

12 “But I tell you, in this you are not right,
for God is greater than any mortal. ( U )
13 Why do you complain to him ( V )
that he responds to no one’s words [ a ] ? ( W )
14 For God does speak ( X ) —now one way, now another ( Y ) —
though no one perceives it. ( Z )
15 In a dream, ( AA ) in a vision ( AB ) of the night, ( AC )
when deep sleep ( AD ) falls on people
as they slumber in their beds,
16 he may speak ( AE ) in their ears
and terrify them ( AF ) with warnings, ( AG )
17 to turn them from wrongdoing
and keep them from pride, ( AH )
18 to preserve them from the pit, ( AI )
their lives from perishing by the sword. [ b ] ( AJ )

19 “Or someone may be chastened ( AK ) on a bed of pain ( AL )
with constant distress in their bones, ( AM )
20 so that their body finds food ( AN ) repulsive
and their soul loathes the choicest meal. ( AO )
21 Their flesh wastes away to nothing,
and their bones, ( AP ) once hidden, now stick out. ( AQ )
22 They draw near to the pit, ( AR )
and their life to the messengers of death. [ c ] ( AS )
23 Yet if there is an angel at their side,
a messenger, ( AT ) one out of a thousand,
sent to tell them how to be upright, ( AU )
24 and he is gracious to that person and says to God,
‘Spare them from going down to the pit; ( AV )
I have found a ransom for them ( AW ) —
25 let their flesh be renewed ( AX ) like a child’s;
let them be restored as in the days of their youth’ ( AY ) —
26 then that person can pray to God and find favor with him, ( AZ )
they will see God’s face and shout for joy; ( BA )
he will restore them to full well-being. ( BB )
27 And they will go to others and say,
‘I have sinned, ( BC ) I have perverted what is right, ( BD )
but I did not get what I deserved. ( BE )
28 God has delivered ( BF ) me from going down to the pit, ( BG )
and I shall live to enjoy the light of life.’ ( BH )

29 “God does all these things to a person ( BI ) —
twice, even three times ( BJ ) —
30 to turn them back ( BK ) from the pit, ( BL )
that the light of life ( BM ) may shine on them. ( BN )

31 “Pay attention, Job, and listen ( BO ) to me; ( BP )
be silent, ( BQ ) and I will speak.
32 If you have anything to say, answer me; ( BR )
speak up, for I want to vindicate you. ( BS )
33 But if not, then listen to me; ( BT )
be silent, ( BU ) and I will teach you wisdom. ( BV ) ”

Footnotes

  1. Job 33:13 Or that he does not answer for any of his actions
  2. Job 33:18 Or from crossing the river
  3. Job 33:22 Or to the place of the dead
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