Job 33
1NOW therefore, Job, hear thou my words, and listen attentively to my speech;
2for lo! I have opened my mouth, and my tongue hath begun to speak.
3My words shall proceed from a pure heart; and the sentiments of my lips shall be pure.
4It is the divine spirit, which made me, even the inspiration of the Almighty which teacheth me.
5If thou art able, give me an answer; come to trial, and let us stand face to face.
6Thou art formed out of clay, and so am I: we are both made of the same material.
7By the dread of me thou wilt not be terrified; nor, will this hand of mine be heavy on thee.
8Now thou hast said in my hearing—I heard the sound of thy words: for thou saidst,
9“I am pure, I have not sinned; I am irreprehensible, for I have not transgressed.
10But He hath invented an accusation against me, and hath accounted me as an enemy.
11He hath put my foot in a clog, and watched all my ways.”
12Now how dost thou say: “I am righteous, yet He hath not hearkened to me”? For He, Who is over mortals, is eternal.
13And dost thou say, Why in my trial, hath He not hearkened to me on every matter?
14For the Lord may have spoken once, and again.—
15In a dream, for instance, or in a nightly vision: As when a dread horror falleth on men, during their slumbers on a bed;
16then doth He open the understanding of men.
17With such appearances of terror He frighted them, to turn man away from iniquity. Again, He hath saved one’s body from a fall,
18and hath rescued his soul from death; and hath not suffered him to fall in battle.
19Again, He hath rebuked him with sickness on a bed, and benumbed all his bones;
20so that he cannot take any nourishment, (though his soul longeth for food)
21until his flesh become rotten, and he can show his bones bare.
22When his soul hath come near to death, and his life near to the mansion of the dead,
23though there may be a thousand messengers of death, not one of them can mortally wound him,
24if he determine in his heart to turn to the Lord. When He shall have shewn man His charge against him, and pointed out to him his folly, He will support him, that he may not fall to death,
25and will renew his body like the plastering on a wall, and fill his bones with marrow; and make his flesh soft like that of an infant, and restore him to full strength among men.
26And when he hath prayed to the Lord, and shall enjoy acceptable things, he will come with a cheerful countenance and with thanks: and render justice to men.
27Then will such a man blame himself, and say, What I have done! He hath not chastened me, as my sins deserve!
28Save my soul, that it may not go to destruction, and let my life see light.
29Behold in these three ways the Almighty doth all these things with man.
30He hath indeed delivered my soul from death; that in light my life may praise Him.
31Listen attentively, Job, and hear me: keep silence that I may speak.
32If thou hast anything to say, answer me: speak; for I wish thee to be justified.
33If not, hearken to me: keep silence and I will teach thee.