Job 33:1-33 AMP

[1] “However, Job, please listen to my words, And pay attention to everything I say. [2] Behold, I have opened my mouth [to begin my speech]; My tongue in my mouth is going to speak. [3] My words will express the uprightness of my heart, And my lips will speak what they know with utter sincerity. [4] The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life [which inspires me]. [5] Answer me, if you can; Set yourselves before me, take your stand. [6] Behold, I belong to God like you; I too was formed out of the clay. [7] Behold, I will not make you afraid or terrified of me [for I am only mortal and not God], Nor should any pressure from me weigh heavily upon you. [8] “Surely you have spoken in my hearing, And I have heard the sound of your words, saying: [9] ‘I am pure, without transgression; I am innocent and there is no guilt in me. [10] Behold, God finds pretexts against me; He counts me as His enemy. [11] He puts my feet in the stocks [to hinder and humiliate me]; He [suspiciously] watches all my paths,’ [you say]. [12] Look, let me answer you, in this you are not right or just; For God is greater and far superior to man. [13] “Why do you complain against Him? That He does not answer [you with] all His doings. [14] For God speaks once, And even twice, yet no one notices it [including you, Job]. [15] In a dream, a vision of the night [one may hear God’s voice], When deep sleep falls on men While slumbering upon the bed, [16] Then He opens the ears of men And seals their instruction, [17] That He may turn man aside from his conduct, And keep him from pride; [18] He holds back his soul from the pit [of destruction], And his life from passing over into Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead). [19] “Man is also disciplined with pain on his bed, And with unceasing complaint in his bones, [20] So that his life makes him loathe food, And his soul [loathe] even his favorite dishes. [21] His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen, And his bones which were not seen now stick out. [22] Then his soul draws near to the pit [of destruction], And his life to those who bring death (the destroyers). [23] “If there is an angel as a mediator for him, One out of a thousand, To explain to a man what is right for him [that is, how to be in right standing with God], [24] Then the angel is gracious to him, and says, ‘Spare him from going down to the pit [of destruction]; I have found a ransom [a consideration, or reason for redemption, an atonement]!’ [25] Let his flesh be restored and become fresher than in youth; Let him return to the days of his youthful strength. [26] He will pray to God, and He shall be favorable to him, So that he looks at His face with joy; For God restores to man His righteousness [that is, his right standing with God—with its joys]. [27] He sings out to other men, ‘I have sinned and perverted that which was right, And it was not proper for me! [28] God has redeemed my life from going to the pit [of destruction], And my life shall see the light.’” [29] [Elihu comments,] “Behold, God does all these things twice, yes, three times, with a man, [30] To bring his life back from the pit [of destruction], That he may be enlightened with the light of the living. [31] Pay attention, Job, listen to me; Keep silent, and I will speak. [32] If you have anything to say, answer me; Speak, for I desire to justify you. [33] If not [and you have nothing to say], listen to me; Keep silent, and I will teach you wisdom.”