1 “Now please listen to what I have to say, Job. Listen to every word! ISV — Job 33:1
2 Look! I’ve begun to speak, a33:2 Lit. I’ve opened my mouth and I’m fashioning my words. b33:2 Lit. and my tongue speaks in my mouth ISV — Job 33:2
3 I speak from the innocence c33:3 Or integrity of my heart; and my lips will utter what I sincerely know. ISV — Job 33:3
4 “The spirit of God fashioned me; and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. ISV — Job 33:4
5 Answer me, if you can! Present your case! Take your stand in my presence! ISV — Job 33:5
6 Look! As far as God is concerned, d33:6 Lit. Look! Before God I’m just like you are— I, too, have been pinched off from a piece of clay. ISV — Job 33:6
7 Don’t be afraid of me; I’ll go easy e33:7 Lit. my hand won’t be heavy on you.” ISV — Job 33:7
8 “You spoke clearly so I could hear; I’ve heard what you’ve said: ISV — Job 33:8
9 ‘I’m pure. I’m without sin; I’m innocent. I’m harboring no iniquity inside of me. ISV — Job 33:9
10 Nevertheless, God f33:10 Lit. he has found a pretext to attack me; he considers me his enemy. ISV — Job 33:10
11 He has bound my feet in shackles, and keeps watching everything I do.’” g33:11 Lit. watching all my paths ISV — Job 33:11
12 “You aren’t right about this; My response is that God is greater than human beings. ISV — Job 33:12
13 Why are you arguing with him? He doesn’t have to give explanations for what he does to you! ISV — Job 33:13
14 “God speaks time and time again h33:14 Lit. speaks once and twice — but nobody notices— ISV — Job 33:14
15 in a dream or night vision, when a deep sleep falls on mankind while they sleep on their beds. ISV — Job 33:15
16 That’s when he opens the ear of mankind, authenticating his messages i33:16 Lit. mankind, sealing his instruction to them, ISV — Job 33:16
17 turning a person from his actions, keeping him j33:17 Lit. man from pride, ISV — Job 33:17
18 sparing his soul from the Pit k33:18 i.e. the realm of punishment in the afterlife and his life from violent death. l33:18 Lit. from death by the sword ISV — Job 33:18
19 “He is being reproved by painful bed rest, with continual aching in his bones. ISV — Job 33:19
20 He cannot stand his food, and he m33:20 Lit. his soul has no desire for appetizing food. ISV — Job 33:20
21 His flesh wastes away; his bones, which once couldn’t be seen, are visible. ISV — Job 33:21
22 His soul is getting close to the Pit; n33:22 i.e. the realm of punishment in the afterlife his life is approaching its executioner.” ISV — Job 33:22
23 “If there’s a messenger o33:23 Or an angel appointed to mediate for Job p33:23 Lit. him —one out of a thousand— to represent the man’s integrity on his behalf, ISV — Job 33:23
24 to show favor to him and to plead, ‘Deliver him from having to go down to the Pit q33:24 i.e. the realm of punishment in the afterlife — I know where his ransom is!’ ISV — Job 33:24
25 Let his flesh be rejuvenated r33:25 Lit. grew fresh as he was in his youth! Let him recover the strength of his youth. ISV — Job 33:25
26 Let him pray to God and he will accept him; he will appear before him with joyful shouts!” ISV — Job 33:26
27 “He’ll sing to mankind with these words: ‘I’ve sinned. I have twisted what is right. Yet he has not repaid me like I deserve. s33:27 The Heb. lacks like I deserve ISV — Job 33:27
28 He has redeemed my soul from going down to the Pit; t33:28 i.e. the realm of punishment in the afterlife my life will see the light.’ ISV — Job 33:28
29 Indeed God does all these things again and again u33:29 Lit. things twice, three times with a person ISV — Job 33:29
30 to bring back his soul from the Pit; v33:30 i.e. the realm of punishment in the afterlife to light him with the light of life.” ISV — Job 33:30
31 “Job, pay attention! Listen to me! Be silent and let me speak. ISV — Job 33:31
32 If you have anything to say, answer me; speak up, because I’d be happy to vindicate you. ISV — Job 33:32
33 But if you have nothing to say, then at least listen to me! Be quiet and learn some wisdom from me.” ISV — Job 33:33