Chapter 33

  'However, Job, Please hear my speech, And listen to all my words.  

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

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  My words shall utter the uprightness of my heart; That which my lips know they shall speak sincerely.  

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  The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life.  

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  If you can, answer me; Set your words in order before me, and stand forth.  

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

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  Behold, my terror shall not make you afraid, Neither shall my pressure be heavy on you.  

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

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  'I am clean, without disobedience. I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me:  

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  Behold, he finds occasions against me, He counts me for his enemy:  

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  He puts my feet in the stocks, He marks all my paths.'  

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  'Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just; For God is greater than man.  

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  Why do you strive against him, Because he doesn't give account of any of his matters?  

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  For God speaks once, Yes twice, though man pays no attention.  

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  In a dream, in a vision of the night, When deep sleep falls on men, In slumbering on the bed;  

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  Then he opens the ears of men, And seals their instruction,  

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  That he may withdraw man from his purpose, And hide pride from man.  

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  He keeps back his soul from the pit, And his life from perishing by the sword.  

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  He is chastened also with pain on his bed, With continual strife in his bones;  

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  So that his life abhors bread, And his soul dainty food.  

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  His flesh is so consumed away, that it can't be seen; His bones that were not seen stick out.  

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  Yes, his soul draws near to the pit, And his life to the destroyers.  

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  'If there is beside him an angel, An interpreter, one among a thousand, To show to man what is right for him;  

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  Then God is gracious to him, and says, 'Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom.'  

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  His flesh shall be fresher than a child's; He returns to the days of his youth.  

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

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  He sings before men, and says, 'I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, And it didn't profit me.  

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  He has redeemed my soul from going into the pit, My life shall see the light.'  

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  'Behold, God works all these things, Twice, yes three times, with a man,  

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  To bring back his soul from the pit, That he may be enlightened with the light of the living.  

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

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

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  If not, listen to me: Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom.'  

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