33:1 "But now, hear my speech, O Job, and listen to all my words.
33:2 Behold, I open my mouth; the tongue in my mouth speaks.
33:3 My words declare the uprightness of my heart, and what my lips know they speak sincerely.
33:4 The spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
33:5 Answer me, if you can; set your words in order before me; take your stand.
33:6 Behold, I am toward God as you are; I too was formed from a piece of clay.
33:7 Behold, no fear of me need terrify you; my pressure will not be heavy upon you.
33:8 "Surely, you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the sound of your words.
33:9 You say, `I am clean, without transgression; I am pure, and there is no iniquity in me.
33:10 Behold, he finds occasions against me, he counts me as his enemy;
33:11 he puts my feet in the stocks, and watches all my paths.'
33:12 "Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you. God is greater than man.
33:13 Why do you contend against him, saying, `He will answer none of my words'?
33:14 For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it.
33:15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, while they slumber on their beds,
33:16 then he opens the ears of men, and terrifies them with warnings,
33:17 that he may turn man aside from his deed, and cut off pride from man;
33:18 he keeps back his soul from the Pit, his life from perishing by the sword.
33:19 "Man is also chastened with pain upon his bed, and with continual strife in his bones;
33:20 so that his life loathes bread, and his appetite dainty food.
33:21 His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen; and his bones which were not seen stick out.
33:22 His soul draws near the Pit, and his life to those who bring death.
33:23 If there be for him an angel, a mediator, one of the thousand, to declare to man what is right for him;
33:24 and he is gracious to him, and says, `Deliver him from going down into the Pit, I have found a ransom;
33:25 let his flesh become fresh with youth; let him return to the days of his youthful vigor';
33:26 then man prays to God, and he accepts him, he comes into his presence with joy. He recounts to men his salvation,
33:27 and he sings before men, and says: `I sinned and perverted what was right, and it was not requited to me.
33:28 He has redeemed my soul from going down into the Pit, and my life shall see the light.'
33:29 "Behold, God does all these things, twice, three times, with a man,
33:30 to bring back his soul from the Pit, that he may see the light of life.
33:31 Give heed, O Job, listen to me; be silent, and I will speak.
33:32 If you have anything to say, answer me; speak, for I desire to justify you.
33:33 If not, listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom."
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