1
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"So please, Job, hear me out, honor me by listening to me. |
2
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What I'm about to say has been carefully thought out. |
3
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I have no ulterior motives in this; I'm speaking honestly from my heart. |
4
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The Spirit of God made me what I am, the breath of God Almighty gave me life! |
5
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"And if you think you can prove me wrong, do it. Lay out your arguments. Stand up for yourself! |
6
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Look, I'm human--no better than you; we're both made of the same kind of mud. |
7
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So let's work this through together; don't let my aggressiveness overwhelm you. |
8
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"Here's what you said. I heard you say it with my own ears. |
9
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You said, 'I'm pure--I've done nothing wrong. Believe me, I'm clean--my conscience is clear. |
10
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But God keeps picking on me; he treats me like I'm his enemy. |
11
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He's thrown me in jail; he keeps me under constant surveillance.' |
12
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"But let me tell you, Job, you're wrong, dead wrong! God is far greater than any human. |
13
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So how dare you haul him into court, and then complain that he won't answer your charges? |
14
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God always answers, one way or another, even when people don't recognize his presence. |
15
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"In a dream, for instance, a vision at night, when men and women are deep in sleep, fast asleep in their beds-- |
16
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God opens their ears and impresses them with warnings |
17
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To turn them back from something bad they're planning, from some reckless choice, |
18
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And keep them from an early grave, from the river of no return. |
19
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"Or, God might get their attention through pain, by throwing them on a bed of suffering, |
20
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So they can't stand the sight of food, have no appetite for their favorite treats. |
21
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They lose weight, wasting away to nothing, reduced to a bag of bones. |
22
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They hang on the cliff-edge of death, knowing the next breath may be their last. |
23
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"But even then an angel could come, a champion--there are thousands of them!-- to take up your cause, |
24
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A messenger who would mercifully intervene, canceling the death sentence with the words: 'I've come up with the ransom!' |
25
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Before you know it, you're healed, the very picture of health! |
26
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"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
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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
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But God stepped in and saved me from certain death. I'm alive again! Once more I see the light!' |
29
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"This is the way God works. Over and over again |
30
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He pulls our souls back from certain destruction so we'll see the light--and live in the light! |
31
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"Keep listening, Job. Don't interrupt--I'm not finished yet. |
32
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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
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Meanwhile, keep listening. Don't distract me with interruptions. I'm going to teach you the basics of wisdom." |
Job 33:1 English Language Bible Words basic statistical display
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