Job 33

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

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

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

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

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

6Behold, I am according to thy wish in God’s stead: I also am formed out of the clay.footnote bfootnote c

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

8Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,footnote d

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

17That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.footnote g

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

25His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s: he shall return to the days of his youth:footnote k

26He 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.

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

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

29Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,footnote n

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

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

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

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

Elihu Rebukes Job

1“But now, O Job, hear my speech,and listen to all my words. 2Behold, I will open my mouth;my address is on the tip of my tongue. 3My words are from an upright heart,and my lips speak sincerely what I know. 4The Spirit of God has made me,and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. 5Refute me if you can;prepare your case and confront me. 6I am just like you before God;I was also formed from clay. 7Surely no fear of me should terrify you;nor will my hand be heavy upon you.

8Surely you have spoken in my hearing,and I have heard these very words: 9‘I am pure, without transgression;I am clean, with no iniquity in me. 10Yet God finds occasions against me;He counts me as His enemy. 11He puts my feet in the stocks;He watches over all my paths.’

12Behold, you are not right in this matter.I will answer you, for God is greater than man. 13Why do you complain to Himthat He answers nothing a man asks?footnote a 14For God speaks in one way and in another,yet no one notices. 15In a dream,in a vision in the night,when deep sleep falls upon menas they slumber on their beds, 16He opens their earsand terrifies them with warnings 17to turn a man from wrongdoingand keep him from pride, 18to preserve his soul from the Pitand his life from perishing by the sword.

19A man is also chastened on his bedwith pain and constant distress in his bones, 20so that he detests his bread,and his soul loathes his favorite food. 21His flesh wastes away from sight,and his hidden bones protrude. 22He draws near to the Pit,and his life to the messengers of death.

23Yet if there is a messenger on his side,one mediator in a thousand,to tell a man what is right for him, 24to be gracious to him and say,‘Spare him from going down to the Pit;I have found his ransom,’ 25then his flesh is refreshed like a child’s;he returns to the days of his youth. 26He prays to God and finds favor;he sees God’s face and shouts for joy,and God restores His righteousnessto that man. 27Then he sings beforefootnote bmenwith these words:‘I have sinned and perverted what was right;yet I did not get what I deserved. 28He redeemed my soul from going down to the Pit,and I will live to see the light.’

29Behold, all these things God does to a man,two or even three times, 30to bring back his soul from the Pit,that he may be enlightened with the light of life. 31Pay attention, Job, and listen to me;be silent, and I will speak. 32But if you have something to say, answer me;speak up, for I would like to vindicate you. 33But if not, then listen to me;be quiet, and I will teach you wisdom.”