Job 33
1 Howbeit hear, Job, my words, and listen to my speech.
“However, Job, please hear my speech, and listen to all my words.
2 For behold, I have opened my mouth, and my tongue has spoken.
See now, I have opened my mouth. My tongue has spoken in my mouth.
3 My heart [shall be found] pure by [my] words; and the understanding of my lips shall meditate purity.
My words will utter the uprightness of my heart. That which my lips know they will speak sincerely.
4 The Divine Spirit is that which formed me, and the breath of the Almighty that which teaches me.
The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
5 If you can, give me an answer: wait therefore; stand against me, and I [will stand] against you.
If you can, answer me. Set your words in order before me, and stand up.
6 You are formed out of the clay as also I: we have been formed out of the same [substance].
Behold, I am toward God even as you are. I am also formed out of the clay.
7 My fear shall not terrify you, neither shall my hand be heavy upon you.
Behold, my terror will not make you afraid, neither will my pressure be heavy on you.
8 But you have said in mine ears, (I have heard the voice of your words; ) because you say, I am pure, not having sinned;
“Surely you have spoken in my hearing, I have heard the voice of your words, saying,
9 I am blameless, for I have not transgressed.
‘I am clean, without disobedience. I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me.
10 Yet he has discovered a charge against me, and he has reckoned me as an adversary.
Behold, he finds occasions against me. He counts me for his enemy.
11 And he has put my foot in the stocks, and has watched all my ways.
He puts my feet in the stocks. He marks all my paths.’
12 For how say you, I am righteous, yet he has not listened to me? for he that is above mortals is eternal.
“Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just, for God is greater than man.
13 But you say, Why has he not heard every word of my cause?
Why do you strive against him, because he does not give account of any of his matters?
14 For when the Lord speaks once, or a second time,
For God speaks once, yes twice, though man pays no attention.
15 [sending] a dream, or in the meditation of the night; (as when a dreadful alarm happens to fall upon men, in slumberings on the bed: )
In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, in slumbering on the bed,
16 then opens he the understanding of men: he scares them with such fearful visions:
then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction,
17 to turn a man from unrighteousness, and he delivers his body from a fall.
that he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
18 He spares also his soul from death, and [suffers] him not to fall in war.
He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
19 And again, he chastens him with sickness on his bed, and the multitude of his bones is benumbed.
“He is chastened also with pain on his bed, with continual strife in his bones,
20 And he shall not be able to take any food, though his soul shall desire meat;
so that his life abhors bread, and his soul dainty food.
21 until his flesh shall be consumed, and he shall show his bones bare.
His flesh is so consumed away that it cannot be seen. His bones that were not seen stick out.
22 His soul also draws near to death, and his life is in Hades.
Yes, his soul draws near to the pit, and his life to the destroyers.
23 Though there should be a thousand messengers of death, not one of them shall wound him: if he should purpose in his heart to turn to the Lord, and declare to man his fault, and show his folly;
“If there is beside him an angel, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man what is right for him,
24 he will support him, that he should not perish, and will restore his body as [fresh] plaster upon a wall; and he will fill his bones with morrow.
then God is gracious to him, and says, ‘Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom.’
25 And he will make his flesh tender as that of a babe, and he will restore him amongst men in [his] full strength.
His flesh will be fresher than a child’s. He returns to the days of his youth.
26 And he shall pray to the Lord, and his prayer shall be accepted of him; he shall enter with a cheerful countenance, with a full expression [of praise]: for he will render to men [their] due.
He prays to God, and he is favorable to him, so that he sees his face with joy. He restores to man his righteousness.
27 Even then a man shall blame himself, saying, What kind of things have I done? and he has not punished me according to the full amount of my sins.
He sings before men, and says, ‘I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it did not profit me.
28 Deliver my soul, that it may not go to destruction, and my life shall see the light.
He has redeemed my soul from going into the pit. My life will see the light.’
29 Behold, all these things, the Mighty One works in a threefold manner with a man.
“Behold, God does all these things, twice, yes three times, with a man,
30 And he has delivered my soul from death, that my life may praise him in the light.
to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of the living.
31 Listen, Job, and hear me: be silent, and I will speak.
Mark well, Job, and listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will speak.
32 If you have words, answer me: speak, for I desire you to be justified.
If you have anything to say, answer me. Speak, for I desire to justify you.
33 If not, do you hear me: be silent, and I will teach you.
If not, listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom.”
