Job 33
1 Wherefore, Job, I pray you, hear my speeches, 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 has spoken in my mouth.
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 clearly.
My words will utter the uprightness of my heart. That which my lips know they will speak sincerely.
4 The spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty has given me life.
The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
5 If you can answer me, set your words in order before me, stand up.
If you can, answer me. Set your words in order before me, and stand up.
6 Behold, I am according to your wish in God's position: I also am formed out of the clay.
Behold, I am towards God even as you are. I am also formed out of the clay.
7 Behold, my terror shall not make you afraid, 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 Surely you have spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of your words, saying,
“Surely you have spoken in my hearing, I have heard the voice of your words, saying,
9 I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.
‘I am clean, without disobedience. I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me.
10 Behold, he finds occasions against me, he counts me for his enemy,
Behold, he finds occasions against me. He counts me for his enemy.
11 He puts my feet in the stocks, he marks all my paths.
He puts my feet in the stocks. He marks all my paths.’
12 Behold, in this you are not just: I will answer you, that God is greater than man.
“Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just, for God is greater than man.
13 Why do you strive against him? for he gives 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 speaks once, yea twice, yet man perceives 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 falls 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 opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction,
then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction,
17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
that he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
18 He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing 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 the multitude of his bones with strong pain:
“He is chastened also with pain on his bed, with continual strife in his bones,
20 So that his life detests bread, and his soul dainty food.
so that his life abhors bread, and his soul dainty food.
21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; 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 Yea, his soul draws near unto the grave, 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 show unto man his uprightness:
“If there is beside him an angel, an interpreter, one amongst a thousand, to show to man what is right for him,
24 Then he is gracious unto him, and says, 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 a child's: 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 be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.
He prays to God, and he is favourable to him, so that he sees his face with joy. He restores to man his righteousness.
27 He looks upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;
He sings before men, and says, ‘I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it didn’t profit me.
28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his 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 works God oftentimes with man,
“Behold, God does all these things, twice, yes three times, with a man,
30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to 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, O Job, hearken unto me: hold your peace, and I will speak.
Mark well, Job, and listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will speak.
32 If you have anything to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify you.
If you have anything to say, answer me. Speak, for I desire to justify you.
33 If not, hearken unto me: hold your peace, and I shall teach you wisdom.
If not, listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom.”
