33:1 "Wherefore, Job, please hear my speech, and hearken to all my words. |
33:2 Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue has spoken in my mouth, |
33:3 My words shall be from the uprightness of my heart, and my lips will clearly speak knowledge. |
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 yourself in order before me, stand up. |
33:6 Behold, I am according to your wish in God's stead; I also am formed out of the clay. |
33:7 Behold, my terror shall not make you afraid, and my burden shall not be heavy upon you. |
33:8 Surely you have spoken in my ears, and I have heard the sound of your words, saying, |
33:9 'I am pure, without transgression; I am innocent, 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; He marks all my paths.' |
33:12 Behold, in this you are not right; I will answer you, for God is greater than man. |
33:13 Why do you fight against Him? For He does not give account for any of His matters. |
33:14 For God speaks once, yea, twice, yet man does not perceive it. |
33:15 In a dream, a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men; while they slumber upon the bed; |
33:16 Then He opens the ear of men and seals their instruction, |
33:17 So that He may turn man away from his own purpose, that He may keep man from pride. |
33:18 He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. |
33:19 He also chastened man with pain upon his bed, and with strong pain in his bones; |
33:20 So that his life abhors bread, and his soul detests desirable food. |
33:21 His flesh visibly consumes away; and his bones that were not seen stick out. |
33:22 Yea, his soul draws near to the pit, and his life to the destroyers. |
33:23 If there is a messenger for him, a mediator, one among a thousand, to vouch for a man's uprightness, |
33:24 Then He is gracious to him and says, 'Deliver him from going down to the pit; for I have found a ransom.' |
33:25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child's; he shall return to the days of his youth; |
33:26 He shall pray to God, and He will be gracious to him; and he shall see His face with joy, for He will restore to man his righteousness. |
33:27 He will observe men, and if any says, 'I have sinned and perverted what is right; and it profited me nothing,' |
33:28 He will rescue his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light. |
33:29 Lo, all these things God does twice, yea, three times with a man, |
33:30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living. |
33:31 Hear this, Job, hearken unto 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, hearken unto me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom." |