< Job 33 >

1 “And yet, please, O Job, Hear my speech and give ear [to] all my words. 2 Now behold, I have opened my mouth, My tongue has spoken in the palate. 3 Of the uprightness of my heart [are] my sayings, And my lips have clearly spoken knowledge. 4 The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Mighty quickens me. 5 If you are able—answer me, Set in array before me—station yourself. 6 Behold, I [am], according to your word, for God, I have also been formed from the clay. 7 Behold, my terror does not frighten you, And my burden on you is not heavy. 8 Surely you have spoken in my ears, And the sounds of words I hear: 9 I [am] pure, without transgression, I [am] innocent, and I have no iniquity. 10 Behold, He develops hindrances against me, He reckons me for an enemy to Him, 11 He puts my feet in the stocks, He watches all my paths. 12 Behold, you have not been righteous [in] this, I answer you, that God is greater than man. 13 Why have you striven against Him, When [for] all His matters He does not answer? 14 For once God speaks, and twice (he does not behold it), 15 In a dream—a vision of night, In the falling of deep sleep on men, In slumberings on a bed. 16 Then He uncovers the ear of men, And seals for their instruction, 17 To turn aside man [from] doing, And He conceals pride from man. 18 He keeps back his soul from corruption, And his life from passing away by a dart. 19 And he has been reproved With pain on his bed, And the strife of his bones [is] enduring. 20 And his life has nauseated bread, And his soul desirable food. 21 His flesh is consumed from being seen, And his bones are high, they were not seen! 22 And his soul draws near to the pit, And his life to those causing death. 23 If there is a messenger by him, An interpreter—one of a thousand, To declare for man his uprightness, 24 Then He favors him and says, Ransom him from going down to the pit, I have found an atonement. 25 Fresher [is] his flesh than a child’s, He returns to the days of his youth. 26 He makes supplication to God, And He accepts him. And he sees His face with shouting, And He returns to man His righteousness. 27 [Then] he looks on men and says, I sinned, and I have perverted uprightness, And it has not been profitable to me. 28 He has ransomed my soul From going over into the pit, And my life looks on the light. 29 Behold, God works all these, Twice, [even] three times with man, 30 To bring back his soul from the pit, To be enlightened with the light of the living. 31 Attend, O Job, listen to me, Keep silent, and I speak. 32 If there are words—answer me, Speak, for I have a desire to justify you. 33 If there are not—listen to me, Keep silent, and I teach you wisdom.”

< Job 33 >