Job 33
1 Howbeit, Job, I pray thee, hear mine utterances, and hearken to all my words.
“However, Job, please hear my speech, and listen to all my words.
2 Behold now, I have opened my mouth, my tongue speaketh in my palate,
See now, I have opened my mouth. My tongue has spoken in my mouth.
3 My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart, and my lips shall utter knowledge purely.
My words will utter the uprightness of my heart. That which my lips know they will speak sincerely.
4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
5 If thou canst, answer me; array [thy words] before me: take thy stand.
If you can, answer me. Set your words in order before me, and stand up.
6 Behold, before God I am as thou; I also am formed out of the clay.
Behold, I am toward God even as you are. I am also formed out of the clay.
7 Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, nor my burden be heavy upon thee.
Behold, my terror will not make you afraid, neither will my pressure be heavy on you.
8 Surely thou hast spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the voice of [thy] words: —
“Surely you have spoken in my hearing, I have heard the voice of your words, saying,
9 I am clean without transgression; I am pure, and there is no iniquity in me;
‘I am clean, without disobedience. I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me.
10 Lo, he findeth occasions of hostility against me, he counteth me for his enemy;
Behold, he finds occasions against me. He counts me for his enemy.
11 He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.
He puts my feet in the stocks. He marks all my paths.’
12 Behold, I will answer thee in this, thou art not right; for God is greater than man.
“Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just, for God is greater than man.
13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.
Why do you strive against him, because he doesn’t give account of any of his matters?
14 For God speaketh once, and twice, — [and man] perceiveth it not —
For God speaks once, yes twice, though man pays no attention.
15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, in slumbering on the bed,
16 Then he openeth men's ears, and sealeth their instruction,
then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction,
17 That he may withdraw man [from his] work, and hide pride from man.
that he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from passing away by the sword.
He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and with constant strife in his bones;
“He is chastened also with pain on his bed, with continual strife in his bones,
20 And his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty food;
so that his life abhors bread, and his soul dainty food.
21 His flesh is consumed away from view, and his bones that were not seen stick out;
His flesh is so consumed away that it can’t be seen. His bones that were not seen stick out.
22 And his soul draweth near to the pit, and his life to the destroyers.
Yes, his soul draws near to the pit, and his life to the destroyers.
23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his duty;
“If there is beside him an angel, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man what is right for him,
24 Then he will be gracious unto him, and say, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.
then God is gracious to him, and says, ‘Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom.’
25 His flesh shall be fresher than in childhood; he shall return to the days of his youth.
His flesh will be fresher than a child’s. He returns to the days of his youth.
26 He shall pray unto God, and he will receive him with favour; and he shall see his face with shoutings, and he will render unto man his righteousness.
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 He will sing before men, and say, I have sinned, and perverted what was right, and it hath not been requited to me;
He sings before men, and says, ‘I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it didn’t profit me.
28 He hath delivered my soul from going into the pit, and my life shall see the light.
He has redeemed my soul from going into the pit. My life will see the light.’
29 Lo, all these [things] worketh God twice, thrice, with man,
“Behold, God does all these things, twice, yes three times, with a man,
30 To bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of the living.
to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of the living.
31 Mark well, Job, hearken unto me; be silent, and I will speak.
Mark well, Job, and listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will speak.
32 If thou hast anything to say, answer me; speak, for I desire to justify thee.
If you have anything to say, answer me. Speak, for I desire to justify you.
33 If not, hearken thou unto me; be silent, and I will teach thee wisdom.
If not, listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom.”
