Job 33
1 Howbeit, Job, I pray thee, hear my speech, 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 hath spoken in my mouth.
See now, I have opened my mouth. My tongue has spoken in my mouth.
3 My words [shall utter] the uprightness of my heart: and that which my lips know they shall speak sincerely.
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 thou me; set [thy words] in order before me, stand forth.
If you can, answer me. Set your words in order before me, and stand up.
6 Behold, I am toward God even as thou art: 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 thee afraid, neither shall my pressure 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 mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of [thy] 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 findeth occasions 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 just; 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, yea twice, [though 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 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 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 with continual strife in his bones:
“He is chastened also with pain on his bed, 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 so consumed away that it can’t be seen. His bones that were not seen stick out.
22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto 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 with him an angel, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man what is right for him;
“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 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 returneth 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 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 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 singeth before men, and saith, 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 hath redeemed my soul from going into the pit, and my life shall behold 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 work, twice, [yea] thrice, with a 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, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.
Mark well, Job, and listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will speak.
32 If thou hast any thing 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: hold thy peace, and I will teach thee wisdom.
If not, listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom.”
