1 "Listen to my words, Job; pay attention to what I have to say. 2 Now that I have begun to speak, let me continue. 3 I speak with all sincerity; I speak the truth. 4 For the Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. 5 Answer me, if you can; make your case and take your stand. 6 Look, you and I both belong to God. I, too, was formed from clay. 7 So 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. 9 You said, 'I am pure; I am without sin; I am innocent; I have no guilt. 10 God is picking a quarrel with me, and he considers me his enemy. 11 He 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. 13 So why are you bringing a charge against him? Why say he does not respond to people's complaints? 14 For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it. 15 He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds. 16 He whispers in their ears and terrifies them with warnings. 17 He makes them turn from doing wrong; he keeps them from pride. 18 He 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. 20 They lose their appetite for even the most delicious food. 21 Their flesh wastes away, and their bones stick out. 22 They 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-- 24 he will be gracious and say, 'Rescue him from the grave, for I have found a ransom for his life.' 25 Then his body will become as healthy as a child's, firm and youthful again. 26 When he prays to God, he will be accepted. And God will receive him with joy and restore him to good standing. 27 He will declare to his friends, 'I sinned and twisted the truth, but it was not worth it. 28 God rescued me from the grave, and now my life is filled with light.' 29 "Yes, God does these things again and again for people. 30 He rescues them from the grave so they may enjoy the light of life. 31 Mark this well, Job. Listen to me, for I have more to say. 32 But if you have anything to say, go ahead. Speak, for I am anxious to see you justified. 33 But if not, then listen to me. Keep silent and I will teach you wisdom!"
1 "So please, Job, hear me out, honor me by listening to me. 2 What I'm about to say has been carefully thought out. 3 I have no ulterior motives in this; I'm speaking honestly from my heart. 4 The Spirit of God made me what I am, the breath of God Almighty gave me life! 5 "And if you think you can prove me wrong, do it. Lay out your arguments. Stand up for yourself! 6 Look, I'm human--no better than you; we're both made of the same kind of mud. 7 So let's work this through together; don't let my aggressiveness overwhelm you. 8 "Here's what you said. I heard you say it with my own ears. 9 You said, "I'm pure--I've done nothing wrong. Believe me, I'm clean--my conscience is clear. 10 But God keeps picking on me; he treats me like I'm his enemy. 11 He's thrown me in jail; he keeps me under constant surveillance.' 12 "But let me tell you, Job, you're wrong, dead wrong! God is far greater than any human. 13 So how dare you haul him into court, and then complain that he won't answer your charges? 14 God always answers, one way or another, even when people don't recognize his presence. 15 "In a dream, for instance, a vision at night, when men and women are deep in sleep, fast asleep in their beds-- 16 God opens their ears and impresses them with warnings 17 To turn them back from something bad they're planning, from some reckless choice, 18 And keep them from an early grave, from the river of no return. 19 "Or, God might get their attention through pain, by throwing them on a bed of suffering, 20 So they can't stand the sight of food, have no appetite for their favorite treats. 21 They lose weight, wasting away to nothing, reduced to a bag of bones. 22 They hang on the cliff-edge of death, knowing the next breath may be their last. 23 "But even then an angel could come, a champion--there are thousands of them!- to take up your cause, 24 A messenger who would mercifully intervene, canceling the death sentence with the words: "I've come up with the ransom!' 25 Before you know it, you're healed, the very picture of health! 26 "Or, you may fall on your knees and pray--to God's delight! You'll see God's smile and celebrate, finding yourself set right with God. 27 You'll sing God's praises to everyone you meet, testifying, "I messed up my life--and let me tell you, it wasn't worth it. 28 But God stepped in and saved me from certain death. I'm alive again! Once more I see the light!' 29 "This is the way God works. Over and over again 30 He pulls our souls back from certain destruction so we'll see the light--and live in the light! 31 "Keep listening, Job. Don't interrupt--I'm not finished yet. 32 But if you think of anything I should know, tell me. There's nothing I'd like better than to see your name cleared. 33 Meanwhile, keep listening. Don't distract me with interruptions. I'm going to teach you the basics of wisdom." Elihu's Second Speech It's Impossible for God to Do Evil
1 Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words. 2 Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth. 3 My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly. 4 The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. 5 If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up. 6 Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay. 7 Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee. 8 Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying, 9 I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me. 10 Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy, 11 He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths. 12 Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man. 13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters. 14 For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. 15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; 16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, 17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. 18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. 19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain: 20 So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat. 21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out. 22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers. 23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: 24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. 25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth: 26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness. 27 He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; 28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light. 29 Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man, 30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living. 31 Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak. 32 If thou hast anything to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee. 33 If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.
1 "But please, Job, hear my speech, And listen to all my words. 2 Now, I open my mouth; My tongue speaks in my mouth. 3 My words come from my upright heart; My lips utter pure knowledge. 4 The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life. 5 If you can answer me, Set your words in order before me; Take your stand. 6 Truly I am as your spokesman before God; I also have been formed out of clay. 7 Surely no fear of me will terrify you, Nor will my hand be heavy on you. 8 "Surely you have spoken in my hearing, And I have heard the sound of your words, saying, 9 "I am pure, without transgression; I am innocent, and there is no iniquity in me. 10 Yet He finds occasions against me, He counts me as His enemy; 11 He puts my feet in the stocks, He watches all my paths.' 12 "Look, in this you are not righteous. I will answer you, For God is greater than man. 13 Why do you contend with Him? For He does not give an accounting of any of His words. 14 For God may speak in one way, or in another, Yet man does not perceive it. 15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, When deep sleep falls upon men, While slumbering on their beds, 16 Then He opens the ears of men, And seals their instruction. 17 In order to turn man from his deed, And conceal pride from man, 18 He keeps back his soul from the Pit, And his life from perishing by the sword. 19 "Man is also chastened with pain on his bed, And with strong pain in many of his bones, 20 So that his life abhors bread, And his soul succulent food. 21 His flesh wastes away from sight, And his bones stick out which once were not seen. 22 Yes, his soul draws near the Pit, And his life to the executioners. 23 "If there is a messenger for him, A mediator, one among a thousand, To show man His uprightness, 24 Then He is gracious to him, and says, "Deliver him from going down to the Pit; I have found a ransom'; 25 His flesh shall be young like a child's, He shall return to the days of his youth. 26 He shall pray to God, and He will delight in him, He shall see His face with joy, For He restores to man His righteousness. 27 Then he looks at men and says, "I have sinned, and perverted what was right, And it did not profit me.' 28 He will redeem his soul from going down to the Pit, And his life shall see the light. 29 "Behold, God works all these things, Twice, in fact, three times with a man, 30 To bring back his soul from the Pit, That he may be enlightened with the light of life. 31 "Give ear, 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 not, listen to me; Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom."
1 "However now, Job, please hear my speech, And listen to all my words. 2 "Behold now, I open my mouth, My tongue in my mouth speaks. 3 "My words are from the uprightness of my heart, And my lips speak knowledge sincerely. 4 "The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life. 5 "Refute me if you can; Array yourselves before me, take your stand. 6 "Behold, I belong to God like you; I too have been formed out of the clay. 7 "Behold, no fear of me should terrify you, Nor should my pressure weigh heavily on you. 8 "Surely you have spoken in my hearing, And I have heard the sound of your words: 9 'I am pure, without transgression; I am innocent and there is no guilt in me. 10 'Behold, He invents pretexts against me; He counts me as His enemy. 11 'He puts my feet in the stocks; He watches all my paths.' 12 "Behold, let me tell you, you are not right in this, For God is greater than man. 13 "Why do you complain against Him That He does not give an account of all His doings? 14 "Indeed God speaks once, Or twice, yet no one notices it. 15 "In a dream, a vision of the night, When sound sleep falls on men, While they slumber in their beds, 16 Then He opens the ears of men, And seals their instruction, 17 That He may turn man aside from his conduct, And keep man from pride; 18 He keeps back his soul from the pit, And his life from passing over into Sheol. 19 "Man is also chastened with pain on his bed, And with unceasing complaint in his bones; 20 So that his life loathes bread, And his soul favorite food. 21 "His flesh wastes away from sight, And his bones which were not seen stick out. 22 "Then his soul draws near to the pit, And his life to those who bring death. 23 "If there is an angel as mediator for him, One out of a thousand, To remind a man what is right for him, 24 Then let him be gracious to him, and say, 'Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom'; 25 Let his flesh become fresher than in youth, Let him return to the days of his youthful vigor; 26 Then he will pray to God, and He will accept him, That he may see His face with joy, And He may restore His righteousness to man. 27 "He will sing to men and say, 'I have sinned and perverted what is right, And it is not proper for me. 28 'He has redeemed my soul from going to the pit, And my life shall see the light.' 29 "Behold, God does all these oftentimes with men, 30 To bring back his soul from the pit, That he may be enlightened with the light of life. 31 "Pay attention, O Job, listen to me; Keep silent, and let me speak. 32 "Then if you have anything to say, answer me; Speak, for I desire to justify you. 33 "If not, listen to me; Keep silent, and I will teach you wisdom."
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.
1 "But now, Job, listen to my words; pay attention to everything I say. 2 I am about to open my mouth; my words are on the tip of my tongue. 3 My words come from an upright heart; my lips sincerely speak what I know. 4 The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life. 5 Answer me then, if you can; prepare yourself and confront me. 6 I am just like you before God; I too have been taken from clay. 7 No fear of me should alarm you, nor should my hand be heavy upon you. 8 "But you have said in my hearing- I heard the very words- 9 'I am pure and without sin; I am clean and free from guilt. 10 Yet God has found fault with me; he considers me his enemy. 11 He fastens my feet in shackles; he keeps close watch on all my paths.' 12 "But I tell you, in this you are not right, for God is greater than man. 13 Why do you complain to him that he answers none of man's words? 14 For God does speak-now one way, now another- though man may not perceive it. 15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men as they slumber in their beds, 16 he may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings, 17 to turn man from wrongdoing and keep him from pride, 18 to preserve his soul from the pit, his life from perishing by the sword. 19 Or a man may be chastened on a bed of pain with constant distress in his bones, 20 so that his very being finds food repulsive and his soul loathes the choicest meal. 21 His flesh wastes away to nothing, and his bones, once hidden, now stick out. 22 His soul draws near to the pit, and his life to the messengers of death. 23 "Yet if there is an angel on his side as a mediator, one out of a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him, 24 to be gracious to him and say, 'Spare him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom for him'- 25 then his flesh is renewed like a child's; it is restored as in the days of his youth. 26 He prays to God and finds favor with him, he sees God's face and shouts for joy; he is restored by God to his righteous state. 27 Then he comes to men and says, 'I sinned, and perverted what was right, but I did not get what I deserved. 28 He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit, and I will live to enjoy the light.' 29 "God does all these things to a man- twice, even three times- 30 to turn back his soul from the pit, that the light of life may shine on him. 31 "Pay attention, Job, and listen to me; be silent, and I will speak. 32 If you have anything to say, answer me; speak up, for I want you to be cleared. 33 But if not, then listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom."
1 "But now, hear my speech, O Job, and listen to all my words. 2 Behold, I open my mouth; the tongue in my mouth speaks. 3 My words declare the uprightness of my heart, and what my lips know they speak sincerely. 4 The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. 5 Answer me, if you can; set your words in order before me; take your stand. 6 Behold, I am toward God as you are; I too was pinched off from a piece of clay. 7 Behold, no fear of me need terrify you; my pressure will not be heavy upon you. 8 "Surely you have spoken in my ears, and I have heard the sound of your words. 9 You say, 'I am pure, without transgression; I am clean, and there is no iniquity in me. 10 Behold, he finds occasions against me, he counts me as his enemy, 11 he puts my feet in the stocks and watches all my paths.' 12 "Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you, for God is greater than man. 13 Why do you contend against him, saying, 'He will answer none of man's words'? 14 For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. 15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, while they slumber on their beds, 16 then he opens the ears of men and terrifies them with warnings, 17 that he may turn man aside from his deed and conceal pride from a man; 18 he keeps back his soul from the pit, his life from perishing by the sword. 19 "Man is also rebuked with pain on his bed and with continual strife in his bones, 20 so that his life loathes bread, and his appetite the choicest food. 21 His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen, and his bones that were not seen stick out. 22 His soul draws near the pit, and his life to those who bring death. 23 If there be for him an angel, a mediator, one of the thousand, to declare to man what is right for him, 24 and he is merciful to him, and says, 'Deliver him from going down into the pit; I have found a ransom; 25 let his flesh become fresh with youth; let him return to the days of his youthful vigor'; 26 then man prays to God, and he accepts him; he sees his face with a shout of joy, and he restores to man his righteousness. 27 He sings before men and says: 'I sinned and perverted what was right, and it was not repaid to me. 28 He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit, and my life shall look upon the light.' 29 "Behold, God does all these things, twice, three times, with a man, 30 to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be lighted with the light of life. 31 Pay attention, O Job, listen to me; be silent, and I will speak. 32 If you have any words, answer me; speak, for I desire to justify you. 33 If not, listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom."