Job 33 · איוב

But now, Iyyov, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.

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

My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge in purity.

The spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty has given me life.

If thou canst, answer me; set thy words in order before me; stand up.

Behold, I am towards God as thou art: I also am formed out of the clay.

Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, nor shall my pressure be heavy upon thee.

Surely thou hast spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,

I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.

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

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

Behold, in this thou art not right: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.

Why dost thou strive against him, seeing that none of his words will answer you.

Surely God speaks once, yea twice, yet man perceives it not.

In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, in slumberings upon the bed,

then he opens the ears of men, and with discipline seals their instruction,

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

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

He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:

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

His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.

For his soul draws near to the pit, and his life to the destroyers.

If there be an angel over him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to declare to man what is right:

then he is gracious to him, and says, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.

His flesh shall be smoother than a child’s: he shall return to the days of his youth:

he shall pray to God, and he will be favourable to him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render to man his righteousness.

He should then assemble a row of men, and say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not.

Thus he will redeem his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.

Lo, God does all these things twice or three times with a man,

to bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.

Mark well, O Iyyov, hearken to me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.

If thou hast anything to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.

If not, hearken to me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.