Bible-Reading.comJob 33
1“But now, O Job, hear my speech, and listen to all my words.
2Behold, I will open my mouth; my address is on the tip of my tongue.
3My words are from an upright heart, and my lips speak sincerely what I know.
4The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
5Refute me if you can; prepare your case and confront me.
6I am just like you before God; I was also formed from clay.
7Surely no fear of me should terrify you; nor will my hand be heavy upon you.
8Surely you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard these very words:
9‘I am pure, without transgression; I am clean, with no iniquity in me.
10Yet God finds occasions against me; He counts me as His enemy.
11He puts my feet in the stocks; He watches over all my paths.’
12Behold, you are not right in this matter. I will answer you, for God is greater than man.
13Why do you complain to Him that He answers nothing a man asks?
14For God speaks in one way and in another, yet no one notices.
15In a dream, in a vision in the night, when deep sleep falls upon men as they slumber on their beds,
16He opens their ears and terrifies them with warnings
17to turn a man from wrongdoing and keep him from pride,
18to preserve his soul from the Pit and his life from perishing by the sword.
19A man is also chastened on his bed with pain and constant distress in his bones,
20so that he detests his bread, and his soul loathes his favorite food.
21His flesh wastes away from sight, and his hidden bones protrude.
22He draws near to the Pit, and his life to the messengers of death.
23Yet if there is a messenger on his side, one mediator in a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him,
24to be gracious to him and say, ‘Spare him from going down to the Pit; I have found his ransom,’
25then his flesh is refreshed like a child’s; he returns to the days of his youth.
26He prays to God and finds favor; he sees God’s face and shouts for joy, and God restores His righteousness to that man.
27Then he sings before men with these words: ‘I have sinned and perverted what was right; yet I did not get what I deserved.
28He redeemed my soul from going down to the Pit, and I will live to see the light.’
29Behold, all these things God does to a man, two or even three times,
30to bring back his soul from the Pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of life.
31Pay attention, Job, and listen to me; be silent, and I will speak.
32But if you have something to say, answer me; speak up, for I would like to vindicate you.
33But if not, then listen to me; be quiet, and I will teach you wisdom.”
Job 34
1Then Elihu continued:
2“Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning.
3For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food.
4Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.
5For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.
6Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’
7What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water?
8He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men.
9For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’
10Therefore listen to me, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly.
11For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences.
12Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.
13Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world?
14If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath,
15all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.
16If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words.
17Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One,
18who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’
19who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands.
20They die in an instant, in the middle of the night. The people convulse and pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.
21For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step.
22There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide.
23For God need not examine a man further or have him approach for judgment.
24He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place.
25Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
26He strikes them for their wickedness in full view,
27because they turned aside from Him and had no regard for any of His ways.
28They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted.
29But when He remains silent, who can condemn Him? When He hides His face, who can see Him? Yet He watches over both man and nation,
30that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people.
31Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more.
32Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’
33Should God repay you on your own terms when you have disavowed His? You must choose, not I; so tell me what you know.
34Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say:
35‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’
36If only Job were tried to the utmost for answering like a wicked man.
37For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God.”