Job 33

₁And now, Job, listen carefully

to all that I have to say.

₂I am ready to say what's on my mind.

₃All my words are sincere,

and I am speaking the truth.

₄God's Spirit made me and gave me life.

₅Answer me if you can. Prepare your arguments.

₆You and I are the same in God's sight,

both of us were formed from clay.

₇So you have no reason to fear me;

I will not overpower you.

₈Now this is what I heard you say:

₉“I am not guilty; I have done nothing wrong.

I am innocent and free from sin.

₁₀But God finds excuses for attacking me

and treats me like an enemy.

₁₁He binds chains on my feet;

he watches every move I make.”

₁₂But I tell you, Job, you are wrong.

God is greater than any human being.

₁₃Why do you accuse God

of never answering our complaints?

₁₄Although God speaks again and again,

no one pays attention to what he says.

₁₅At night when people are asleep,

God speaks in dreams and visions.

₁₆He makes them listen to what he says,

and they are frightened at his warnings.

₁₇God speaks to make them stop their sinning

and to save them from becoming proud.

₁₈He will not let them be destroyed;

he saves them from death itself.

₁₉God corrects people by sending sickness

and filling their bodies with pain.

₂₀Those who are sick lose their appetites,

and even the finest food looks revolting.

₂₁Their bodies waste away to nothing;

you can see all their bones;

₂₂they are about to go to the world of the dead.

₂₃Perhaps an angel may come to their aid —

one of God's thousands of angels,

who remind us of our duty.

₂₄In mercy the angel will say, “Release them!

They are not to go down to the world of the dead.

Here is the ransom to set them free.”

₂₅Their bodies will grow young and strong again;

₂₆when they pray, God will answer;

they will worship God with joy;

God will set things right for them again.

₂₇Each one will say in public, “I have sinned.

I have not done right, but God spared me.

₂₈He kept me from going to the world of the dead,

and I am still alive.”

₂₉God does all this again and again;

₃₀he saves a person's life,

and gives him the joy of living.

₃₁Now, Job, listen to what I am saying;

be quiet and let me speak.

₃₂But if you have something to say, let me hear it;

I would gladly admit you are in the right.

₃₃But if not, be quiet and listen to me,

and I will teach you how to be wise.