Job 33:1-33 AMPC

[1] Be that as it may, Job, I beg of you to hear what I have to say and give heed to all my words. [2] Behold, here I am with open mouth; here is my tongue talking. [3] My words shall express the uprightness of my heart, and my lips shall speak what they know with utter sincerity. [4] [It is] the Spirit of God that made me [which has stirred me up], and the breath of the Almighty that gives me life [which inspires me]. [5] Answer me now, if you can; set your words in order before me; take your stand. [6] Behold, I am toward God and before Him even as you are; I also am formed out of the clay [though I speak with abnormal wisdom because of a divine illumination]. [7] See my terror [for I am only a fellow mortal, not God]; I shall not make you afraid, neither shall my pressure be heavy upon you. [8] Surely you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the voice of your words, saying, [9] I am clean, without transgression; I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me. [10] But behold, God finds occasions against me and causes of alienation and indifference; He counts me as His enemy. [11] He puts my feet in the stocks; He [untrustingly] watches all my paths [you say]. [12] I reply to you, Behold, in this you are not just; God is superior to man. [13] Why do you contend against Him? For He does not give account of any of His actions. [Sufficient for us it should be to know that it is He Who does them.] [14] For God [does reveal His will; He] speaks not only once, but more than once, even though men do not regard it [including you, Job]. [15] [One may hear God's voice] in a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men while slumbering upon the bed, [16] Then He opens the ears of men and seals their instruction [terrifying them with warnings], [17] That He may withdraw man from his purpose and cut off pride from him [disgusting him with his own disappointing self-sufficiency]. [18] He holds him back from the pit [of destruction], and his life from perishing by the sword [of God's destructive judgments]. [19] [God's voice may be heard by man when] he is chastened with pain upon his bed and with continual strife in his bones or while all his bones are firmly set, [20] So that his desire makes him loathe food, and even dainty dishes [nauseate him]. [21] His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen, and his bones that were not seen stick out. [22] Yes, his soul draws near to corruption, and his life to the inflicters of death (the destroyers). [23] [God's voice may be heard] if there is for the hearer a messenger or an angel, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man what is right for him [how to be upright and in right standing with God], [24] Then [God] is gracious to him and says, Deliver him from going down into the pit [of destruction]; I have found a ransom (a price of redemption, an atonement)! [25] [Then the man's] flesh shall be restored; it becomes fresher and more tender than a child's; he returns to the days of his youth. [26] He prays to God, and He is favorable to him, so that he sees His face with joy; for [God] restores to him his righteousness (his uprightness and right standing with God-with its joys). [27] He looks upon other men or sings out to them, I have sinned and perverted that which was right, and it did not profit me, or He did not requite me [according to my iniquity]! [28] [God] has redeemed my life from going down 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 back his life from the pit [of destruction], that he may be enlightened with the light of the living. [31] Give heed, O Job, listen to me; hold your peace, and I will speak. [32] If you have anything to say, answer me; speak, for I desire to justify you. [33] If [you do] not [have anything to say], listen to me; hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom.