Job 33
1 Therefore do thou but hear, O Job, my speeches, and give ear 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 mouth.
See now, I have opened my mouth. My tongue has spoken in my mouth.
3 Out of my straightforward heart [come] my sayings, and my lips 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 hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty giveth 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 thyself before me, stand forward.
If you can, answer me. Set your words in order before me, and stand up.
6 Behold, I am in the same relation as thyself toward God: I myself also am cut out of the clay.
Behold, I am toward God even as you are. I am also formed out of the clay.
7 Behold, dread of me cannot terrify thee, and my pressure will not be too heavy upon thee.
Behold, my terror will not make you afraid, neither will my pressure be heavy on you.
8 But thou hast said before my ears, and the sound of the words I still hear,
“Surely you have spoken in my hearing, I have heard the voice of your words, saying,
9 “I am pure without transgression, I am quite clean; and there is no iniquity in me:
‘I am clean, without disobedience. I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me.
10 Yet, behold, he findeth hateful backsliding on me, he regardeth me as an enemy unto him;
Behold, he finds occasions against me. He counts me for his enemy.
11 He putteth my feet in the stocks, he watcheth 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; for God is far greater than a mortal.
“Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just, for God is greater than man.
13 Why dost thou contend against him? for with all his words will he not give an answer.
Why do you strive against him, because he does not give account of any of his matters?
14 For God speaketh once, yea twice: [yet man] regardeth 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 slumbers upon the couch:
In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, in slumbering on the bed,
16 Then doth he lay open the ear of men, and sealeth it with their warning;
then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction,
17 To remove the son of earth [from his intended] deed and he covereth up pride from man;
that he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
18 He withholdeth 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 And so is he admonished by pain upon his couch, and all his bones with violent [aches].
“He is chastened also with pain on his bed, with continual strife in his bones,
20 So that his inclination abhorreth bread, and his soul, the most agreeable 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 cannot be seen. His bones that were not seen stick out.
22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the pit, and his life to those that slay.
Yes, his soul draws near to the pit, and his life to the destroyers.
23 If there be now about him one single angel, as defender, one out of a thousand, to tell for man his uprightness:
“If there is beside him an angel, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man what is right for him,
24 Then is he gracious unto him, and saith, Release him from going down to the pit, I have found an atonement.
then God is gracious to him, and says, ‘Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom.’
25 His flesh becometh full again as in youth: he returneth to the days of his boyhood.
His flesh will be fresher than a child’s. He returns to the days of his youth.
26 He will offer his entreaty unto God, and he will receive him in favor, that he may see his face with joy: so doth He recompense unto the mortal 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 then should assemble men around, and say, “I had sinned, and perverted what is right, yet have I not received a like return.”
He sings before men, and says, ‘I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it did not profit me.
28 Thus he redeemeth his soul from passing into the pit, and his life will look joyously on the light.
He has redeemed my soul from going into the pit. My life will see the light.’
29 Lo, all these things doth God two or three times 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 she may shine in the light of life.
to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of the living.
31 Listen well, O Job, hearken unto me: keep silence, and I will truly speak.
Mark well, Job, and listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will speak.
32 If thou hast any words, answer me: speak, for I wish 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: keep silence, and I will teach thee wisdom.
If not, listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom.”
