New Living Translation | New Living Translation |
1“Listen to my words, Job; pay attention to what I have to say. | 1“Listen to my words, Job; pay attention to what I have to say. |
2Now that I have begun to speak, let me continue. | 2Now that I have begun to speak, let me continue. |
3I speak with all sincerity; I speak the truth. | 3I speak with all sincerity; I speak the truth. |
4For the Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. | 4For the Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. |
5Answer me, if you can; make your case and take your stand. | 5Answer me, if you can; make your case and take your stand. |
6Look, you and I both belong to God. I, too, was formed from clay. | 6Look, you and I both belong to God. I, too, was formed from clay. |
7So you don’t need to be afraid of me. I won’t come down hard on you. | 7So you don’t need to be afraid of me. I won’t come down hard on you. |
8“You have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard your very words. | 8“You have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard your very words. |
9You said, ‘I am pure; I am without sin; I am innocent; I have no guilt. | 9You said, ‘I am pure; I am without sin; I am innocent; I have no guilt. |
10God is picking a quarrel with me, and he considers me his enemy. | 10God is picking a quarrel with me, and he considers me his enemy. |
11He puts my feet in the stocks and watches my every move.’ | 11He puts my feet in the stocks and watches my every move.’ |
12“But you are wrong, and I will show you why. For God is greater than any human being. | 12“But you are wrong, and I will show you why. For God is greater than any human being. |
13So why are you bringing a charge against him? Why say he does not respond to people’s complaints? | 13So why are you bringing a charge against him? Why say he does not respond to people’s complaints? |
14For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it. | 14For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it. |
15He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds. | 15He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds. |
16He whispers in their ears and terrifies them with warnings. | 16He whispers in their ears and terrifies them with warnings. |
17He makes them turn from doing wrong; he keeps them from pride. | 17He makes them turn from doing wrong; he keeps them from pride. |
18He protects them from the grave, from crossing over the river of death. | 18He protects them from the grave, from crossing over the river of death. |
19“Or God disciplines people with pain on their sickbeds, with ceaseless aching in their bones. | 19“Or God disciplines people with pain on their sickbeds, with ceaseless aching in their bones. |
20They lose their appetite for even the most delicious food. | 20They lose their appetite for even the most delicious food. |
21Their flesh wastes away, and their bones stick out. | 21Their flesh wastes away, and their bones stick out. |
22They are at death’s door; the angels of death wait for them. | 22They are at death’s door; the angels of death wait for them. |
23“But if an angel from heaven appears— a special messenger to intercede for a person and declare that he is upright— | 23“But if an angel from heaven appears— a special messenger to intercede for a person and declare that he is upright— |
24he will be gracious and say, ‘Rescue him from the grave, for I have found a ransom for his life.’ | 24he will be gracious and say, ‘Rescue him from the grave, for I have found a ransom for his life.’ |
25Then his body will become as healthy as a child’s, firm and youthful again. | 25Then his body will become as healthy as a child’s, firm and youthful again. |
26When he prays to God, he will be accepted. And God will receive him with joy and restore him to good standing. | 26When he prays to God, he will be accepted. And God will receive him with joy and restore him to good standing. |
27He will declare to his friends, ‘I sinned and twisted the truth, but it was not worth it. | 27He will declare to his friends, ‘I sinned and twisted the truth, but it was not worth it. |
28God rescued me from the grave, and now my life is filled with light.’ | 28God rescued me from the grave, and now my life is filled with light.’ |
29“Yes, God does these things again and again for people. | 29“Yes, God does these things again and again for people. |
30He rescues them from the grave so they may enjoy the light of life. | 30He rescues them from the grave so they may enjoy the light of life. |
31Mark this well, Job. Listen to me, for I have more to say. | 31Mark this well, Job. Listen to me, for I have more to say. |
32But if you have anything to say, go ahead. Speak, for I am anxious to see you justified. | 32But if you have anything to say, go ahead. Speak, for I am anxious to see you justified. |
33But if not, then listen to me. Keep silent and I will teach you wisdom!” | 33But if not, then listen to me. Keep silent and I will teach you wisdom!” |
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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