< Job 33 >

1 Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.
However, Job, I pray thee, hear my speech, and hearken to all my words.
2 Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.
Behold 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 shall utter the uprightness of my heart, and that which my lips know they shall 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, set [thy words] in order before me, stand up.
If thou can, answer thou me. Set thy words in order before me. Stand forth.
6 Behold, I [am] according to thy wish in God’s stead: I also am formed out of the clay.
Behold, I am toward God even as thou are. I also am formed out of the clay.
7 Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.
Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, nor shall my pressure be heavy upon thee.
8 Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of [thy] words, [saying],
Surely thou have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,
9 I am clean without transgression, I [am] innocent; neither [is there] iniquity in me.
I am clean, without transgression. I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me.
10 Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,
Thou say, 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, [in] this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.
Behold, I will answer thee. In this thou 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 thou strive against him because he does not give account of any of his matters?
14 For God speaketh once, yea twice, [yet man] perceiveth it not.
For God speaks once, yea twice, though man does not regard it.
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 upon men, in slumberings upon the bed.
16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth 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 keepeth 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 also is chastened with pain upon his bed, and with continual strife in his bones,
20 So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.
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 consumed away that it cannot be seen. And his bones that were not seen stick out.
22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.
Yea, 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 uprightness:
If there be with him an agent, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man what is right for him,
24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, 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 shall 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 favorable to him, so that he sees his face with joy, and he restores to man his righteousness.
27 He looketh 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 did not 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, and my life shall behold the light.
29 Lo, all these [things] worketh God oftentimes with man,
Lo, all these things God works twice, yea thrice, 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 thy peace, and I will speak.
Mark well, O Job, hearken to me. Keep silent, and I will speak.
32 If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.
If thou have anything to say, answer me. Speak, for I desire to justify thee.
33 If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.
If not, hearken thou to me. Keep silent, and I will teach thee.

< Job 33 >