Job 33

33:1

“But now, O Job, hear my speech, and listen to all my words.

33:2

Behold, I will open my mouth; my address is on the tip of my tongue.

33:3

My words are from an upright heart, and my lips speak sincerely what I know.

33:4

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

33:5

Refute me if you can; prepare your case and confront me.

33:6

I am just like you before God; I was also formed from clay.

33:7

Surely no fear of me should terrify you; nor will my hand be heavy upon you.

33:8

Surely you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard these very words:

33:9

‘I am pure, without transgression; I am clean, with no iniquity in me.

33:10

Yet God finds occasions against me; He counts me as His enemy.

33:11

He puts my feet in the stocks; He watches over all my paths.’

33:12

Behold, you are not right in this matter. I will answer you, for God is greater than man.

33:13

Why do you complain to Him that He answers nothing a man asks?

33:14

For God speaks in one way and in another, yet no one notices.

33:15

In a dream, in a vision in the night, when deep sleep falls upon men as they slumber on their beds,

33:16

He opens their ears and terrifies them with warnings

33:17

to turn a man from wrongdoing and keep him from pride,

33:18

to preserve his soul from the Pit and his life from perishing by the sword.

33:19

A man is also chastened on his bed with pain and constant distress in his bones,

33:20

so that he detests his bread, and his soul loathes his favorite food.

33:21

His flesh wastes away from sight, and his hidden bones protrude.

33:22

He draws near to the Pit, and his life to the messengers of death.

33:23

Yet if there is a messenger on his side, one mediator in a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him,

33:24

to be gracious to him and say, ‘Spare him from going down to the Pit; I have found his ransom,’

33:25

then his flesh is refreshed like a child’s; he returns to the days of his youth.

33:26

He prays to God and finds favor; he sees God’s face and shouts for joy, and God restores His righteousness to that man.

33:27

Then he sings before men with these words: ‘I have sinned and perverted what was right; yet I did not get what I deserved.

33:28

He redeemed my soul from going down to the Pit, and I will live to see the light.’

33:29

Behold, all these things God does to a man, two or even three times,

33:30

to bring back his soul from the Pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of life.

33:31

Pay attention, Job, and listen to me; be silent, and I will speak.

33:32

But if you have something to say, answer me; speak up, for I would like to vindicate you.

33:33

But if not, then listen to me; be quiet, and I will teach you wisdom.”