Chapter 33

Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear³ my speeches, and hearken⁵⁴ to all my words.

Behold, now I have opened¹ my mouth, my tongue hath spoken¹⁴ in my mouth.

My words [shall be of] the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter¹⁴ knowledge clearly.⁷

The Spirit of God hath made¹ me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.¹⁷

If thou canst⁴ answer⁵³ me, set [thy words] in order³ before me, stand up.¹⁰⁰

Behold, I [am] according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed²⁷ out of the clay.

Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid,¹⁷ neither shall my hand be heavy⁴ upon thee.

Surely thou hast spoken¹ in mine hearing, and I have heard⁴ the voice of [thy] words, [saying],

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

Behold, he findeth⁴ occasions against me, he counteth⁴ me for his enemy,⁶

He putteth⁴ my feet in the stocks, he marketh⁴ all my paths.

Behold, [in] this thou art not just:¹ I will answer⁴ thee, that God is greater⁴ than man.

Why dost thou strive¹ against him? for he giveth not account⁴ of any of his matters.

For God speaketh¹⁷ once, yea twice, [yet man] perceiveth⁴ it not.

In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth² upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;

Then he openeth⁴ the ears of men, and sealeth⁴ their instruction,

That he may withdraw⁵³ man [from his] purpose, and hide¹⁷ pride from man.

He keepeth back⁴ his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing² by the sword.

He is chastened⁹⁰ also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude ⁷³⁷⁹ of his bones with strong [pain]:

So that his life abhorreth¹⁴ bread, and his soul dainty meat.

His flesh is consumed away,⁴ that it cannot be seen; and his bones [that] were not seen²⁷ stick out.^{27 8205}

Yea, his soul draweth near⁴ unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.⁵⁶

If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter,⁵⁶ one among a thousand, to shew⁵³ unto man his uprightness:

Then he is gracious⁴ unto him, and saith,⁴ Deliver³ him from going down² to the pit: I have found¹ a ransom.

His flesh shall be fresher¹ than a child's: he shall return⁴ to the days of his youth:

He shall pray⁴ unto God, and he will be favourable⁴ unto him: and he shall see⁴ his face with joy: for he will render⁵⁵ unto man his righteousness.

He looketh⁴ upon men, and [if any] say,⁴ I have sinned,¹ and perverted⁵² [that which was] right, and it profited¹ me not;

He will deliver¹ his soul from going² into the pit, and his life shall see⁴ the light.

Lo, all these [things] worketh⁴ God oftentimes ⁷⁹⁶⁹ with man,

To bring back⁵³ his soul from the pit, to be enlightened⁹ with the light of the living.

Mark well,⁵⁴ O Job, hearken³ unto me: hold thy peace,⁵⁴ and I will speak.¹⁷

If thou hast any thing to say, answer⁵⁴ me: speak,¹⁶ for I desire¹ to justify¹⁵ thee.

If not, hearken³ unto me: hold thy peace,⁵⁴ and I shall teach¹⁷ thee wisdom.