Job, 33

1. Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.

1. So now, O Job, hear my discourse, listen to everything I say.

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

2. My words are on the tip of my tongue,

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

3. words from an upright heart, words full of knowledge and sincerity.

4. The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

4. The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty keeps me alive.

5. If thou canst answer me, set [thy words] in order before me, stand up.

5. Answer me if you can; draw up your arguments and take your stand.

6. Behold, I [am] according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay.

6. Like yourself, I too have been taken by God from the same clay.

7. Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.

7. Thus no fear of me need alarm you, nor should my presence lie heavy on you.

8. Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of [thy] words, [saying],

8. But I heard what you said, none of your words escaped my hearing:

9. I am clean without transgression, I [am] innocent; neither [is there] iniquity in me.

9. "I am clean and without sin; I am innocent, guiltless.

10. Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,

10. Yet God has found fault with me and considers me his enemy;

11. He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.

11. he shackles my feet, keeps watch of all my paths."

12. Behold, [in] this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.

12. I tell you, you are wrong in this, for greater than man is God.

13. Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.

13. Why then do you complain that he will answer none of your words?

14. For God speaketh once, yea twice, [yet man] perceiveth it not.

14. See God gives a warning but does not repeat it a second time.

15. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;

15. In a dream, in a night vision, when deep sleep falls on men, while they slumber in their beds,

16. Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,

16. it is then he opens the ears of men and gives warning by terrifying them.

17. That he may withdraw man [from his] purpose, and hide pride from man.

17. So he turns man from wrongdoing and keeps him away from pride,

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

18. God preserves his soul from the pit, his life from perishing by the sword.

19. He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong [pain]:

19. Man is also chastened on his bed by pain and constant distress upon his frame,

20. So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.

20. so that he finds food repulsive, even the choicest meal loathsome.

21. His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones [that] were not seen stick out.

21. His flesh wastes away to naught; his bones, once unseen, now protrude.

22. Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.

22. His soul draws near to the pit, and his life to the place of death.

23. If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:

23. Yet if there is an angel by his side - a mediator, one in a thousand - to show him what is right for man, to give him justice once again,

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

24. God will have mercy on him and say, "Deliver him from going down to the pit; I have found for him a ransom."

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

25. Then his flesh will be renewed as a child's, restored as in the days of his youth.

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

26. He will pray and find favor with God; he will see God's face and rejoice.

27. He looketh upon men, and [if any] say, I have sinned, and perverted [that which was] right, and it profited me not;

27. He will witness to men and say, "I sinned and perverted what was right, but I was not punished as I deserved.

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

28. He rescued my soul from going down into the pit, and gave me life to enjoy the light."

29. Lo, all these [things] worketh God oftentimes with man,

29. God does all this to man - twice, even thrice -

30. To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.

30. to turn him back from the pit, to lead him with the light of life.

31. Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.

31. Pay attention, Job, listen to me; be silent, and I will continue to speak.

32. If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.

32. But if you have anything to say, say it then; speak up, for I wish to see you justified.

33. If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.

33. If not, then do listen; be silent as I teach you wisdom.