Job 33

1 “However, Job, please hear my speech, and listen to all my words.⋮

2 See now, I have opened my mouth. My tongue has spoken in my mouth.⋮

3 My words will utter the uprightness of my heart. That which my lips know they will speak sincerely.⋮

4 The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.⋮

5 If you can, answer me. Set your words in order before me, and stand up.⋮

6 Behold, I am toward God even as you are. I am also formed out of the clay.⋮

7 Behold, my terror will not make you afraid, neither will my pressure be heavy on you.⋮

8 “Surely you have spoken in my hearing, I have heard the voice of your words, saying,⋮

9 ‘I am clean, without disobedience. I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me.⋮

10 Behold, he finds occasions against me. He counts me for his enemy.⋮

11 He puts my feet in the stocks. He marks all my paths.’⋮

12 “Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just, for God is greater than man.⋮

13 Why do you strive against him, because he doesn’t give account of any of his matters?⋮

14 For God speaks once, yes twice, though man pays no attention.⋮

15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, in slumbering on the bed,⋮

16 then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction,⋮

17 that he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.⋮

18 He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.⋮

19 “He is chastened also with pain on his bed, with continual strife in his bones,⋮

20 so that his life abhors bread, and his soul dainty food.⋮

21 His flesh is so consumed away that it can’t be seen. His bones that were not seen stick out.⋮

22 Yes, his soul draws near to the pit, and his life to the destroyers.⋮

23 “If there is beside him an angel, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man what is right for him,⋮

24 then God is gracious to him, and says, ‘Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom.’⋮

25 His flesh will be fresher than a child’s. He returns to the days of his youth.⋮

26 He prays to God, and he is favorable to him, so that he sees his face with joy. He restores to man his righteousness.⋮

27 He sings before men, and says, ‘I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it didn’t profit me.⋮

28 He has redeemed my soul from going into the pit. My life will see the light.’⋮

29 “Behold, God does all these things, twice, yes three times, with a man,⋮

30 to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of the living.⋮

31 Mark well, Job, and listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will speak.⋮

32 If you have anything to say, answer me. Speak, for I desire to justify you.⋮

33 If not, listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom.”⋮