33:1  "But now, hear my speech, O Job, and listen to all my words.

33:2  Behold, I open my mouth; the tongue in my mouth speaks.

33:3  My words declare the uprightness of my heart, and what my lips know they speak sincerely.

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

33:5  Answer me, if you can; set your words in order before me; take your stand.

33:6  Behold, I am toward God as you are; I too was formed from a piece of clay.

33:7  Behold, no fear of me need terrify you; my pressure will not be heavy upon you.

33:8  "Surely, you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the sound of your words.

33:9  You say, 'I am clean, without transgression; I am pure, and there is no iniquity in me.

33:10  Behold, he finds occasions against me, he counts me as his enemy;

33:11  he puts my feet in the stocks, and watches all my paths.'

33:12  "Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you. God is greater than man.

33:13  Why do you contend against him, saying, 'He will answer none of my words'?

33:14  For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it.

33:15  In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, while they slumber on their beds,

33:16  then he opens the ears of men, and terrifies them with warnings,

33:17  that he may turn man aside from his deed, and cut off pride from man;

33:18  he keeps back his soul from the Pit, his life from perishing by the sword.

33:19  "Man is also chastened with pain upon his bed, and with continual strife in his bones;

33:20  so that his life loathes bread, and his appetite dainty food.

33:21  His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen; and his bones which were not seen stick out.

33:22  His soul draws near the Pit, and his life to those who bring death.

33:23  If there be for him an angel, a mediator, one of the thousand, to declare to man what is right for him;

33:24  and he is gracious to him, and says, 'Deliver him from going down into the Pit, I have found a ransom;

33:25  let his flesh become fresh with youth; let him return to the days of his youthful vigor';

33:26  then man prays to God, and he accepts him, he comes into his presence with joy. He recounts to men his salvation,

33:27  and he sings before men, and says: 'I sinned and perverted what was right, and it was not requited to me.

33:28  He has redeemed my soul from going down into the Pit, and my life shall see the light.'

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

33:30  to bring back his soul from the Pit, that he may see the light of life.

33:31  Give heed, O Job, listen to me; be silent, 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; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom."