33:1 BE THAT as it may, Job, I beg of you to hear what I have to say and give heed to all my words. |
33:2 Behold, here I am with open mouth; here is my tongue talking. |
33:3 My words shall express the uprightness of my heart, and my lips shall speak what they know with utter sincerity. |
33:4 [It is] the Spirit of God that made me [which has stirred me up], and the breath of the Almighty that gives me life [which inspires me]. |
33:5 Answer me now, if you can; set your words in order before me; take your stand. |
33:6 Behold, I am toward God {and} before Him even as you are; I also am formed out of the clay [though I speak with abnormal wisdom because of a divine illumination]. |
33:7 See my terror [for I am only a fellow mortal, not God]; I shall not make you afraid, neither shall my pressure be heavy upon you. |
33:8 Surely you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the voice of your words, saying, |
33:9 I am clean, without transgression; I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me. |
33:10 But behold, God finds occasions against me {and} causes of alienation {and} indifference; He counts me as His enemy. |
33:11 He puts my feet in the stocks; He [untrustingly] watches all my paths [you say]. |
33:12 I reply to you, Behold, in this you are not just; God is superior to man. |
33:13 Why do you contend against Him? For He does not give account of any of His actions. [Sufficient for us it should be to know that it is He Who does them.] |
33:14 For God [does reveal His will; He] speaks not only once, but more than once, even though men do not regard it [including you, Job]. |
33:15 [One may hear God's voice] in a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men while slumbering upon the bed, |
33:16 Then He opens the ears of men and seals their instruction [terrifying them with warnings], |
33:17 That He may withdraw man from his purpose and cut off pride from him [disgusting him with his own disappointing self-sufficiency]. |
33:18 He holds him back from the pit [of destruction], and his life from perishing by the sword [of God's destructive judgments]. |
33:19 [God's voice may be heard by man when] he is chastened with pain upon his bed and with continual strife in his bones {or} while all his bones are firmly set, |
33:20 So that his desire makes him loathe food, and even dainty dishes [nauseate him]. |
33:21 His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen, and his bones that were not seen stick out. |
33:22 Yes, his soul draws near to corruption, and his life to the inflicters of death (the destroyers). |
33:23 [God's voice may be heard] if there is for the hearer a messenger {or} an angel, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man what is right for him [how to be upright and in right standing with God], |
33:24 Then [God] is gracious to him and says, Deliver him from going down into the pit [of destruction]; I have found a ransom (a price of redemption, an atonement)! |
33:25 [Then the man's] flesh shall be restored; it becomes fresher {and} more tender than a child's; he returns to the days of his youth. |
33:26 He prays to God, and He is favorable to him, so that he sees His face with joy; for [God] restores to him his righteousness (his uprightness and right standing with God--with its joys). |
33:27 He looks upon other men {or} sings out to them, I have sinned and perverted that which was right, and it did not profit me, {or} He did not requite me [according to my iniquity]! |
33:28 [God] has redeemed my life from going down to the pit [of destruction], and my life shall see the light! |
33:29 [Elihu comments] Behold, God does all these things twice, yes, three times, with a man, |
33:30 To bring back his life from the pit [of destruction], that he may be enlightened with the light of the living. |
33:31 Give heed, O Job, 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 [you do] not [have anything to say], listen to me; hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom. |