New International Version | New International Version |
1"But now, Job, listen to my words; pay attention to everything I say. | 1"But now, Job, listen to my words; pay attention to everything I say. |
2I am about to open my mouth; my words are on the tip of my tongue. | 2I am about to open my mouth; my words are on the tip of my tongue. |
3My words come from an upright heart; my lips sincerely speak what I know. | 3My words come from an upright heart; my lips sincerely speak what I know. |
4The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life. | 4The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life. |
5Answer me then, if you can; stand up and argue your case before me. | 5Answer me then, if you can; stand up and argue your case before me. |
6I am the same as you in God's sight; I too am a piece of clay. | 6I am the same as you in God's sight; I too am a piece of clay. |
7No fear of me should alarm you, nor should my hand be heavy on you. | 7No fear of me should alarm you, nor should my hand be heavy on you. |
8"But you have said in my hearing-- I heard the very words-- | 8"But you have said in my hearing-- I heard the very words-- |
9I am pure, I have done no wrong; I am clean and free from sin. | 9I am pure, I have done no wrong; I am clean and free from sin. |
10Yet God has found fault with me; he considers me his enemy. | 10Yet God has found fault with me; he considers me his enemy. |
11He fastens my feet in shackles; he keeps close watch on all my paths.' | 11He 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 any mortal. | 12"But I tell you, in this you are not right, for God is greater than any mortal. |
13Why do you complain to him that he responds to no one's words? | 13Why do you complain to him that he responds to no one's words? |
14For God does speak--now one way, now another-- though no one perceives it. | 14For God does speak--now one way, now another-- though no one perceives it. |
15In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they slumber in their beds, | 15In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they slumber in their beds, |
16he may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings, | 16he may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings, |
17to turn them from wrongdoing and keep them from pride, | 17to turn them from wrongdoing and keep them from pride, |
18to preserve them from the pit, their lives from perishing by the sword. | 18to preserve them from the pit, their lives from perishing by the sword. |
19"Or someone may be chastened on a bed of pain with constant distress in their bones, | 19"Or someone may be chastened on a bed of pain with constant distress in their bones, |
20so that their body finds food repulsive and their soul loathes the choicest meal. | 20so that their body finds food repulsive and their soul loathes the choicest meal. |
21Their flesh wastes away to nothing, and their bones, once hidden, now stick out. | 21Their flesh wastes away to nothing, and their bones, once hidden, now stick out. |
22They draw near to the pit, and their life to the messengers of death. | 22They draw near to the pit, and their life to the messengers of death. |
23Yet if there is an angel at their side, a messenger, one out of a thousand, sent to tell them how to be upright, | 23Yet if there is an angel at their side, a messenger, one out of a thousand, sent to tell them how to be upright, |
24and he is gracious to that person and says to God, 'Spare them from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom for them-- | 24and he is gracious to that person and says to God, 'Spare them from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom for them-- |
25let their flesh be renewed like a child's; let them be restored as in the days of their youth'-- | 25let their flesh be renewed like a child's; let them be restored as in the days of their youth'-- |
26then that person can pray to God and find favor with him, they will see God's face and shout for joy; he will restore them to full well-being. | 26then that person can pray to God and find favor with him, they will see God's face and shout for joy; he will restore them to full well-being. |
27And they will go to others and say, 'I have sinned, I have perverted what is right, but I did not get what I deserved. | 27And they will go to others and say, 'I have sinned, I have perverted what is right, but I did not get what I deserved. |
28God has delivered me from going down to the pit, and I shall live to enjoy the light of life.' | 28God has delivered me from going down to the pit, and I shall live to enjoy the light of life.' |
29"God does all these things to a person-- twice, even three times-- | 29"God does all these things to a person-- twice, even three times-- |
30to turn them back from the pit, that the light of life may shine on them. | 30to turn them back from the pit, that the light of life may shine on them. |
31"Pay attention, Job, and listen to me; be silent, and I will speak. | 31"Pay attention, Job, and listen to me; be silent, and I will speak. |
32If you have anything to say, answer me; speak up, for I want to vindicate you. | 32If you have anything to say, answer me; speak up, for I want to vindicate you. |
33But if not, then listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom." | 33But if not, then listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom." |
New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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