< Job 33 >

1 Howbeit, Job, I pray thee, hear my speech, and hearken to all my words.
Howbeit, Job, I pray thee, hear mine utterances, 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 speaketh in my palate,
3 My words [shall utter] the uprightness of my heart: and that which my lips know they shall speak sincerely.
My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart, and my lips shall utter knowledge purely.
4 The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty giveth me life.
The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
5 If thou canst, answer thou me; set [thy words] in order before me, stand forth.
If thou canst, answer me; array [thy words] before me: take thy stand.
6 Behold, I am toward God even as thou art: I also am formed out of the clay.
Behold, before God I am as thou; I also am formed out of the clay.
7 Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my pressure be heavy upon thee.
Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, nor my burden be heavy upon thee.
8 Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of [thy] words, [saying],
Surely thou hast spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the voice of [thy] words: —
9 I am clean, without transgression; I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me:
I am clean without transgression; I am pure, and there is no iniquity in me;
10 Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy;
Lo, he findeth occasions of hostility against me, he counteth me for his enemy;
11 He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.
He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.
12 Behold, I will answer thee, in this thou art not just; for God is greater than man.
Behold, I will answer thee in this, thou art not right; for God is greater than man.
13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.
Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.
14 For God speaketh once, yea twice, [though man] regardeth it not.
For God speaketh once, and twice, — [and man] perceiveth it not —
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 falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
Then he openeth men's ears, and sealeth their instruction,
17 That he may withdraw man [from his] purpose, and hide pride from man;
That he may withdraw man [from his] work, and hide pride from man.
18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from passing away by the sword.
19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and with continual strife in his bones:
He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and with constant strife in his bones;
20 So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.
And his life abhorreth 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 from view, and his bones that were not seen stick out;
22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the pit, and his life to the destroyers.
And his soul draweth near to the pit, and his life to the destroyers.
23 If there be with him an angel, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man what is right for him;
If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his duty;
24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom.
Then he will be gracious unto him, and say, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.
25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s; he returneth to the days of his youth:
His flesh shall be fresher than in childhood; he shall return to the days of his youth.
26 He prayeth unto God, and he is favourable unto him; so that he seeth his face with joy: and he restoreth unto man his righteousness.
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.
27 He singeth before men, and saith, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not:
He will sing before men, and say, I have sinned, and perverted what was right, and it hath not been requited to me;
28 He hath redeemed my soul from going into the pit, and my life shall behold the light.
He hath delivered my soul from going into the pit, and my life shall see the light.
29 Lo, all these things doth God work, twice, [yea] thrice, with a man,
Lo, all these [things] worketh God twice, thrice, with 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, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.
Mark well, Job, hearken unto me; be silent, and I will speak.
32 If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.
If thou hast anything to say, answer me; speak, for I desire to justify thee.
33 If not, hearken thou unto me: hold thy peace, and I will teach thee wisdom.
If not, hearken thou unto me; be silent, and I will teach thee wisdom.

< Job 33 >