Job 33:1-33 VOICE

[1] Elihu: So now, Job, listen closely to my words; lend an ear to my speeches. [2] Wait for it! I am about ready to part my lips; even now, my tongue begins to stir within my mouth. [3] My words emerge from a heart of integrity; my lips express their knowledge with sincerity. [4] God's Spirit has fashioned me and the breath of the Highest One imparts life to me. [5] So refute me if you can; go ahead and make your preparations and assume your position. [6] But remember I am just like you; we are both God's vessels, both pinched from the clay and formed by Him. [7] Look, there is no reason for you to be afraid of me; my hand will not feel all that heavy on you. [8] Job, now you have said-and I heard it- I heard the words sounded out: [9] "I am pure, without sin; innocent indeed, and there is no wrongdoing within me! [10] But oh! God has come up with reasons to accuse me; now He considers me His enemy. [11] He locks my feet in the shackles; He watches all my paths, dogs my every step." [12] But listen! You are wrong in all this because God is greater than a mere man. [13] Why do you argue with Him, complaining that He refuses to account for all of His actions? [14] For God does speak in one way and even another way- yet no one may be able to perceive what He says. [15] One kind of answer God gives comes in the form of a dream-in a night-vision- When deep slumber comes to people who have lain down to sleep in their beds. [16] Yes, this is often when He opens the ears of humanity, and seals their life-corrections in the terrors of the night [17] So that He can turn one away from his evil deeds and put down the arrogance of the proud. [18] He does all of this so that He might hold back one soul from the pit and protect one life from passing over to the land of death. [19] Or another kind of answer God gives comes thus: one may be corrected through a bed of pain; his bones may hold him in an unceasing trial, [20] In which his food becomes repulsive, and he doesn't hunger for even his favorite meals. [21] His body wastes away almost to nothing, and bones, once hidden, stick out gruesomely. [22] Thus he is sobered as his soul approaches the rim of the pit, as his life hears the whispers of the coming messengers of death. [23] If there is a heavenly messenger at one's side, a mediator, even just one out of the thousand in his regime of God's messengers, to proclaim what is right for that person according to God, [24] And to be gracious to him and to say, "Spare this one from descending into the pit; I have found a ransom that will save his life! [25] Then his skin will be renewed, as smooth and fresh as a child's, and he will be restored to the vim and vigor of his youth." [26] He will make his appeal to God, and God will grant acceptance; he will see God's face and shout with joy, knowing God has restored his right standing. [27] Then he comes to his fellow humans and sings out, "I sinned and perverted what I knew to be right, but God has not repaid me what I deserved. [28] He has instead paid that ransom and spared me from descending into the pit and my life now sees the light." [29] Look! God does all of these things two, even three times with a person, [30] In order to guide his soul back from the rim of the pit so the light of life might shine on him. [31] Lend your ear, Job, and listen well to me; remain silent, and I will do the talking. [32] If you have anything to say to me, say it. Make your answer to me; go ahead and speak, because I do desire to see you justified to God. [33] But if not, then listen well to me; stay quiet, and I will teach you wisdom.