Job 33

1 “However, Job, please hear my speech, and listen to all my words.

Why, Job, I pray you, hear my speeches, and listen to all my words.

2 See now, I have opened my mouth. My tongue has spoken in my mouth.

Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue has spoken in my mouth.

3 My words will utter the uprightness of my heart. That which my lips know they will speak sincerely.

My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.

4 The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

The spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty has given me life.

5 If you can, answer me. Set your words in order before me, and stand up.

If you can answer me, set your words in order before me, stand up.

6 Behold, I am toward God even as you are. I am also formed out of the clay.

Behold, I am according to your wish in God’s stead: I also am formed out of the clay.

7 Behold, my terror will not make you afraid, neither will my pressure be heavy on you.

Behold, my terror shall not make you afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy on you.

8 “Surely you have spoken in my hearing, I have heard the voice of your words, saying,

Surely you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the voice of your words, saying,

9 ‘I am clean, without disobedience. 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 finds occasions against me. He counts me for his enemy.

Behold, he finds occasions against me, he counts me for his enemy,

11 He puts my feet in the stocks. He marks all my paths.’

He puts my feet in the stocks, he marks all my paths.

12 “Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just, for God is greater than man.

Behold, in this you are not just: I will answer you, that God is greater than man.

13 Why do you strive against him, because he doesn’t give account of any of his matters?

Why do you strive against him? for he gives not account of any of his matters.

14 For God speaks once, yes twice, though man pays no attention.

For God speaks once, yes twice, yet man perceives it not.

15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, in slumbering on the bed,

In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, in slumberings on the bed;

16 then he opens the ears of men, and seals 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 keeps 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 on his bed, with continual strife in his bones,

He is chastened also with pain on his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:

20 so that his life abhors bread, and his soul dainty food.

So that his life abhors bread, and his soul dainty meat.

21 His flesh is so consumed away that it can’t be seen. 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 Yes, his soul draws near to the pit, and his life to the destroyers.

Yes, his soul draws near to the grave, and his life to the destroyers.

23 “If there is beside him an angel, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man what is right for him,

If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man his uprightness:

24 then God is gracious to him, and says, ‘Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom.’

Then he is gracious to him, and says, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.

25 His flesh will be fresher than a child’s. He returns to the days of his youth.

His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s: he shall return to the days of his youth:

26 He prays to God, and he is favorable to him, so that he sees his face with joy. He restores to man his righteousness.

He shall pray to God, and he will be favorable to him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render to man his righteousness.

27 He sings before men, and says, ‘I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it didn’t profit me.

He looks on men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;

28 He has redeemed my soul from going into the pit. My life will see the light.’

He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.

29 “Behold, God does all these things, twice, yes three times, with a man,

See, all these things works God oftentimes 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, to be enlightened with the light of the living.

31 Mark well, Job, and listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will speak.

Mark well, O Job, listen to me: hold your peace, and I will speak.

32 If you have anything to say, answer me. Speak, for I desire to justify you.

If you have anything to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify you.

33 If not, listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom.”

If not, listen to me: hold your peace, and I shall teach you wisdom.