GodsWord - Job - 33

33:1  "Please, Job, listen to my words and consider everything I say.

33:2  I've opened my mouth. The words are on the tip of my tongue.

33:3  My words are straight from the heart, and I sincerely speak the knowledge that is on my lips.

33:4  "God's Spirit has made me. The breath of the Almighty gives me life.

33:5  Answer me if you can. Present your case to me, and take your stand.

33:6  Indeed, I stand in front of God as you do. I, too, was formed from a piece of clay.

33:7  You certainly don't need to be terrified of me. I won't put too much pressure on you.

33:8  "But you spoke directly to me, and I listened to your words.

33:9  You said, 'I'm pure--without any rebellious acts against God. I'm clean; I have no sin.

33:10  God is only looking for an excuse to attack me. He considers me his enemy.

33:11  He puts my feet in the stocks and watches all my paths.'

33:12  You aren't right about this! I've got an answer for you: God is greater than any mortal.

33:13  Why do you quarrel with him since he doesn't answer any questions?

33:14  "God speaks in one way, even in two ways without people noticing it:

33:15  In a dream, a prophetic vision at night, when people fall into a deep sleep, when they sleep on their beds,

33:16  he opens people's ears and terrifies them with warnings.

33:17  He warns them to turn away from doing wrong and to stop being arrogant.

33:18  He keeps their souls from the pit and their lives from crossing the River of Death.

33:19  In pain on their sickbeds, they are disciplined with endless aching in their bones

33:20  so that their whole being hates food and they lose their appetite for a delicious meal.

33:21  Their flesh becomes so thin that it can't be seen. Their bones, not seen before, will be exposed.

33:22  Their souls approach the pit. Their lives come close to those already dead.

33:23  "If they have a messenger for them, a spokesman, one in a thousand, to tell people what is right for them,

33:24  then he will have pity on them and say, 'Free them from going into the pit. I have found a ransom.'

33:25  Then their flesh will become softer than a child's. They will go back to the days of their youth.

33:26  They will pray to God, who will be pleased with them. They will see God's face and shout for joy as he restores their righteousness.

33:27  Each one sings in front of other people and says, 'I sinned and did wrong instead of what was right, and it did me no good.

33:28  The messenger has freed my soul from going into the pit, and my life will see the light.'

33:29  Truly, God does all this two or three times with people

33:30  to turn their souls away from the pit and to enlighten them with the light of life.

33:31  "Pay attention, Job! Listen to me! Keep quiet, and let me speak.

33:32  If you have a response, answer me. Speak, because I'd be happy if you were right.

33:33  If not, you listen to me. Keep quiet, and I'll teach you wisdom."