1 Job, listen to me!Pay close attention.*
2 Everything I will say
3 is true and sincere,
4 just as surely as the Spiritof God All-Powerfulgave me the breath of life.
5 Now line up your argumentsand prepare to face me.
6 We each were made from clay,and God has no favorites,
7 so don't be afraid of meor what I might do.
8 I have heard you argue
9 that you are innocent,guilty of nothing.
10 You claim that Godhas made you his enemy,
11 that he has bound your feetand blocked your path.
12 But, Job, you're wrong—God is greaterthan any human.
13 So why do you challenge Godto answer you?
14 God speaks in different ways,and we don't alwaysrecognize his voice.*
15 Sometimes in the night,he uses terrifying dreams
16 to give us warnings.
17 God does this to make us turnfrom sin and pride
18 and to protect usfrom being swept awayto the world of the dead.
19 Sometimes we are punishedwith a serious illnessand aching joints.
20 Merely the thoughtof our favorite foodmakes our stomachs sick,
21 and we become so skinnythat our bones stick out.
22 We feel death and the gravetaking us in their grip.
23 One of a thousand angelsthen comes to our rescueby saying we are innocent.
24 The angel shows kindness,commanding death to release us,because the price was paid.
25 Our health is restored,we feel young again,
26 and we ask God to accept us.Then we joyfully worship God,and we are rewardedbecause we are innocent.
27 When that happens,we tell everyone,“I sinned and did wrong,but God forgave me
28 and rescued me from death!Now I will see the light.”
29 God gives each of uschance after chance
30 to be saved from deathand brought into the lightthat gives life.
31 So, Job, pay attentionand don't interrupt,
32 though I would gladly listento anything you saythat proves you are right.
33 Otherwise, listen in silenceto my wisdom.