Job 33 ⓘ

33:1 “However, Job, please hear my speech, and listen to all my words.

33:2 See now, I have opened my mouth. My tongue has spoken in my mouth.

33:3 My words will utter the uprightness of my heart. That which my lips know they will speak sincerely.

33:4 The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

33:5 If you can, answer me. Set your words in order before me, and stand up.

33:6 Behold, I am towards God even as you are. I am also formed out of the clay.

33:7 Behold, my terror will not make you afraid, neither will my pressure be heavy on you.

33:8 “Surely you have spoken in my hearing, I have heard the voice of your words, saying,

33:9 ‘I am clean, without disobedience. I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me.

33:10 Behold, he finds occasions against me. He counts me for his enemy.

33:11 He puts my feet in the stocks. He marks all my paths.’

33:12 “Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just, for God is greater than man.

33:13 Why do you strive against him, because he doesn’t give account of any of his matters?

33:14 For God speaks once, yes twice, though man pays no attention.

33:15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, in slumbering on the bed,

33:16 then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction,

33:17 that he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.

33:18 He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.

33:19 “He is chastened also with pain on his bed, with continual strife in his bones,

33:20 so that his life abhors bread, and his soul dainty food.

33:21 His flesh is so consumed away that it can’t be seen. His bones that were not seen stick out.

33:22 Yes, his soul draws near to the pit, and his life to the destroyers.

33:23 “If there is beside him an angel, an interpreter, one amongst a thousand, to show to man what is right for him,

33:24 then God is gracious to him, and says, ‘Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom.’

33:25 His flesh will be fresher than a child’s. He returns to the days of his youth.

33:26 He prays to God, and he is favourable to him, so that he sees his face with joy. He restores to man his righteousness.

33:27 He sings before men, and says, ‘I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it didn’t profit me.

33:28 He has redeemed my soul from going into the pit. My life will see the light.’

33:29 “Behold, God does all these things, twice, yes three times, with a man,

33:30 to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of the living.

33:31 Mark well, Job, and listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will speak.

33:32 If you have anything to say, answer me. Speak, for I desire to justify you.

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