Job 33

1 And now, O Job, give ear to my words, and take note of all I say.

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

2 See, now my mouth is open, my tongue gives out words.

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

3 My heart is overflowing with knowledge, my lips say what is true.

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

4 The spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Ruler of all gives me life.

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

5 If you are able, give me an answer; put your cause in order, and come forward.

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

6 See, I am the same as you are in the eyes of God; I was cut off from the same bit of wet earth.

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

7 Fear of me will not overcome you, and my hand will not be hard on you.

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

8 But you said in my hearing, and your voice came to my ears:

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

9 I am clean, without sin; I am washed, and there is no evil in me:

‘I am clean, without disobedience. I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me.

10 See, he is looking for something against me; in his eyes I am as one of his haters;

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

11 He puts chains on my feet; he is watching all my ways.

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

12 Truly, in saying this you are wrong; 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 do you put forward your cause against him, saying, He gives no answer to any of my words?

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

14 For God gives his word in one way, even in two, and man is not conscious of it:

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

15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep comes on men, while they take their rest on their beds;

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

16 Then he makes his secrets clear to men, so that they are full of fear at what they see;

then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction,

17 In order that man may be turned from his evil works, and that pride may be taken away from him;

that he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.

18 To keep back his soul from the underworld, and his life from destruction.

He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.

19 Pain is sent on him as a punishment, while he is on his bed; there is no end to the trouble in his bones;

“He is chastened also with pain on his bed, with continual strife in his bones,

20 He has no desire for food, and his soul is turned away from delicate meat;

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

21 His flesh is so wasted away, that it may not be seen, and his bones. ...

His flesh is so consumed away that it can’t be seen. His bones that were not seen stick out.

22 And his soul comes near to the underworld, and his life to the angels of death.

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

23 If now there may be an angel sent to him, one of the thousands which there are to be between him and God, and to make clear to 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 And if he has mercy on him, and says, Let him not go down to the underworld, I have given the price for his life:

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

25 Then his flesh becomes young again, and he comes back to the days of his early strength;

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

26 He makes his prayer to God, and he has mercy on him; he sees God's face with cries of joy; he gives news of his righteousness to men;

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 makes a song, saying, I did wrong, turning from the straight way, but he did not give me the reward of my sin.

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

28 He kept my soul from the underworld, and my life sees the light in full measure.

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

29 Truly, God does all these things to man, twice and three times,

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

30 Keeping back his soul from the underworld, so that he may see the light of life.

to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of the living.

31 Take note O Job, give ear to me; keep quiet, while I say what is in my mind.

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

32 If you have anything to say, give me an answer; for it is my desire that you may be judged free from sin.

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

33 If not, give attention to me, and keep quiet, and I will give you wisdom.

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