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Job 36:16-33

Job 36:16-33 The Message (MSG)

“Oh, Job, don’t you see how God’s wooing you from the jaws of danger? How he’s drawing you into wide-open places— inviting you to feast at a table laden with blessings? And here you are laden with the guilt of the wicked, obsessed with putting the blame on God! Don’t let your great riches mislead you; don’t think you can bribe your way out of this. Did you plan to buy your way out of this? Not on your life! And don’t think that night, when people sleep off their troubles, will bring you any relief. Above all, don’t make things worse with more evil— that’s what’s behind your suffering as it is! “Do you have any idea how powerful God is? Have you ever heard of a teacher like him? Has anyone ever had to tell him what to do, or correct him, saying, ‘You did that all wrong!’? Remember, then, to praise his workmanship, which is so often celebrated in song. Everybody sees it; nobody is too far away to see it. “Take a long, hard look. See how great he is—infinite, greater than anything you could ever imagine or figure out! “He pulls water up out of the sea, distills it, and fills up his rain-cloud cisterns. Then the skies open up and pour out soaking showers on everyone. Does anyone have the slightest idea how this happens? How he arranges the clouds, how he speaks in thunder? Just look at that lightning, his sky-filling light show illumining the dark depths of the sea! These are the symbols of his sovereignty, his generosity, his loving care. He hurls arrows of light, taking sure and accurate aim. The High God roars in the thunder, angry against evil.”

Job 36:16-33 King James Version (KJV)

Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait Into a broad place, where there is no straitness; And that which should be set on thy table should be full of fatness. But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: Judgment and justice take hold on thee. Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: Then a great ransom cannot deliver thee. Will he esteem thy riches? no, not gold, Nor all the forces of strength. Desire not the night, When people are cut off in their place. Take heed, regard not iniquity: For this hast thou chosen rather than affliction. Behold, God exalteth by his power: Who teacheth like him? Who hath enjoined him his way? Or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity? Remember that thou magnify his work, Which men behold. Every man may see it; Man may behold it afar off. Behold, God is great, and we know him not, Neither can the number of his years be searched out. For he maketh small the drops of water: They pour down rain according to the vapour thereof: Which the clouds do drop And distil upon man abundantly. Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, Or the noise of his tabernacle? Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, And covereth the bottom of the sea. For by them judgeth he the people; He giveth meat in abundance. With clouds he covereth the light; And commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt. The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, The cattle also concerning the vapour.

Job 36:16-33 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)

Then indeed, He enticed you from the mouth of distress, Instead of it, a broad place with no constraint; And that which was set on your table was full of fatness. “But you were full of judgment on the wicked; Judgment and justice take hold of you. Beware that wrath does not entice you to scoffing; And do not let the greatness of the ransom turn you aside. Will your riches keep you from distress, Or all the forces of your strength? Do not long for the night, When people vanish in their place. Be careful, do not turn to evil, For you have preferred this to affliction. Behold, God is exalted in His power; Who is a teacher like Him? Who has appointed Him His way, And who has said, ‘You have done wrong’? “Remember that you should exalt His work, Of which men have sung. All men have seen it; Man beholds from afar. Behold, God is exalted, and we do not know Him; The number of His years is unsearchable. For He draws up the drops of water, They distill rain from the mist, Which the clouds pour down, They drip upon man abundantly. Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds, The thundering of His pavilion? Behold, He spreads His lightning about Him, And He covers the depths of the sea. For by these He judges peoples; He gives food in abundance. He covers His hands with the lightning, And commands it to strike the mark. Its noise declares His presence; The cattle also, concerning what is coming up.

Job 36:16-33 American Standard Version (ASV)

Yea, he would have allured thee out of distress Into a broad place, where there is no straitness; And that which is set on thy table would be full of fatness. But thou art full of the judgment of the wicked: Judgment and justice take hold on thee. For let not wrath stir thee up against chastisements; Neither let the greatness of the ransom turn thee aside. Will thy cry avail, that thou be not in distress, Or all the forces of thy strength? Desire not the night, When peoples are cut off in their place. Take heed, regard not iniquity: For this hast thou chosen rather than affliction. Behold, God doeth loftily in his power: Who is a teacher like unto him? Who hath enjoined him his way? Or who can say, Thou hast wrought unrighteousness? Remember that thou magnify his work, Whereof men have sung. All men have looked thereon; Man beholdeth it afar off. Behold, God is great, and we know him not; The number of his years is unsearchable. For he draweth up the drops of water, Which distil in rain from his vapor, Which the skies pour down And drop upon man abundantly. Yea, can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, The thunderings of his pavilion? Behold, he spreadeth his light around him; And he covereth the bottom of the sea. For by these he judgeth the peoples; He giveth food in abundance. He covereth his hands with the lightning, And giveth it a charge that it strike the mark. The noise thereof telleth concerning him, The cattle also concerning the storm that cometh up.

Job 36:16-33 New International Version (Anglicised) (NIVUK)

‘He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food. But now you are laden with the judgment due to the wicked; judgment and justice have taken hold of you. Be careful that no-one entices you by riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside. Would your wealth or even all your mighty efforts sustain you so you would not be in distress? Do not long for the night, to drag people away from their homes. Beware of turning to evil, which you seem to prefer to affliction. ‘God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him? Who has prescribed his ways for him, or said to him, “You have done wrong”? Remember to extol his work, which people have praised in song. All humanity has seen it; mortals gaze on it from afar. How great is God – beyond our understanding! The number of his years is past finding out. ‘He draws up the drops of water, which distil as rain to the streams; the clouds pour down their moisture and abundant showers fall on mankind. Who can understand how he spreads out the clouds, how he thunders from his pavilion? See how he scatters his lightning about him, bathing the depths of the sea. This is the way he governs the nations and provides food in abundance. He fills his hands with lightning and commands it to strike its mark. His thunder announces the coming storm; even the cattle make known its approach.

Job 36:16-33 Amplified Bible (AMP)

“Then indeed, He enticed you from the mouth of distress and confinement, Into a broad place where there is no constraint or distress; And that which was set on your table was full of fatness (rich food). ¶“But you [Job] were full of judgment on the wicked, Judgment and justice take hold of you. “Do not let wrath entice you into scoffing; And do not let the greatness and the extent of the ransom turn you aside. “Will your wealth [be sufficient to] keep you from [the confinement of] distress, Or will all the force of your strength do it? “Do not long for the night, When people vanish from their places. “Take heed and be careful, do not turn to wickedness, For you have chosen this [the vice of complaining against God] rather than [learning from] affliction. “Behold, God is exalted in His power; Who is a ruler or a teacher like Him? “Who has appointed God His way, And who can say [to Him], ‘You have done wrong’? ¶“Remember that you should magnify God’s work, Of which men have sung. “All men have seen God’s work; Man looks at it from a distance. “Behold, God is exalted, and we do not know Him; The number of His years is unsearchable. [1 Cor 13:12] “For He draws up the drops of water, They distill rain from the mist, Which the clouds pour down, They drop abundantly upon mankind.” “Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds Or the thundering of His pavilion? [Ps 18:11; Is 40:22] “Behold, He spreads His lightning around Him [against the dark clouds], And He covers the depths of the sea. “For by these [mighty acts] He judges the peoples; He gives food in abundance. “He covers His hands with the lightning, And commands it to strike the mark. “His thundering voice declares [awesomely] His presence; The cattle also are told of His coming storm.