Job, 33

1. So, Job, please listen to my words and attend to all I have to say.

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

2. Now as I open my mouth, and my tongue shapes words against my palate,

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

3. I shall utter words of wisdom from the heart, my lips will speak in all sincerity.

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

4. God's was the spirit that made me, Shaddai's the breath that gave me life.

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

5. Refute me, if you can. Prepare yourself, take up your position!

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

6. Look, I am your equal, not some god, like you I was moulded out of clay.

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

7. No fear of me, therefore, need affright you, my hand will not lie heavy over you.

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

8. How could you say in my hearing -- for the sound of your words did not escape me-

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

9. 'I am clean, and sinless, I am pure, without fault.

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

10. But he keeps inventing excuses against me and regards me as his enemy.

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

11. He puts me in the stocks, he watches my every path'?

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

12. In saying so, I tell you, you are wrong: for God is greater than any human being.

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

13. Why then quarrel with him for not replying to you, word for word?

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

14. God speaks first in one way, and then in another, although we do not realise it.

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

15. In dreams and in night-visions, when slumber has settled on humanity and people are asleep in bed,

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

16. he speaks in someone's ear, frightens him with apparitions

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

17. to turn him from what he is doing and to put an end to his pride.

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

18. And thus he preserves his soul from the abyss, his life from passing down the Canal.

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

19. Or again, he corrects by the sufferings of the sick-bed, when someone's bones tremble continuously

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

20. and the thought of food revolts him, however tasty it is,

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

21. and his flesh rots away while you watch it and the bones beneath begin to show,

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

22. and his soul is drawing nearer to the abyss and his life to the dwelling of the dead.

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

23. Then, if there is an Angel near him, a Mediator, one in a thousand, to remind him where his duty lies,

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

24. to take pity on him and to say, 'Spare him from going down to the abyss: I have found the ransom for his life,'

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

25. his flesh will recover its childhood freshness, he will return to the days of his youth.

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

26. He will pray to God who has restored him to favour, and will come into his presence with joy. He will tell others how he has received saving justice

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.

27. and sing this hymn before his companions, 'I sinned and left the path of right, but God has not punished me as my sin deserved.

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

28. He has spared my soul from going down to the abyss and is making my life see the light.'

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

29. All this is what God keeps doing again and yet again for human beings,

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

30. to snatch souls back from the abyss and to make the light of the living still shine.

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

31. Pay attention, Job, listen to me: keep quiet, I have more to say.

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

32. If you have anything to say, refute me, speak out, for I would gladly accept that you are upright.

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

33. If not, then listen to me: keep quiet, and I will teach you wisdom.

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