Job 33

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 personISV — 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