1Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words. 2Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.33.2 in my mouth: Heb. in my palate 3My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly. 4The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. 5If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up. 6Behold, I am according to thy wish in God’s stead: I also am formed out of the clay.33.6 wish: Heb. mouth33.6 formed: Heb. cut 7Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.
8Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,33.8 hearing: Heb. ears 9I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me. 10Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy, 11He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths. 12Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man. 13Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.33.13 he giveth…: Heb. he answereth not
14For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. 15In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; 16Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,33.16 he…: Heb. he revealeth, or, uncovereth 17That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.33.17 purpose: Heb. work 18He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.33.18 from perishing: Heb. from passing
19He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain: 20So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.33.20 dainty…: Heb. meat of desire 21His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out. 22Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers. 23If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: 24Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.33.24 a ransom: or, an atonement 25His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s: he shall return to the days of his youth:33.25 a child’s: Heb. childhood 26He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness. 27He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;33.27 He…: or, He shall look upon men, and say 28He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.33.28 He…: or, He hath delivered my soul, etc, and my life
29Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,33.29 oftentimes: Heb. twice and thrice 30To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living. 31Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak. 32If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee. 33If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.
1“约伯啊，请听我言，
请留心听我每一句话。
2我要开口发言，
我话已在舌尖。
3我的话发自正直的心，
我的口如实陈明道理。
4上帝的灵创造了我，
全能者的气赋予我生命。
5如果你能，就反驳我，
站出来与我辩论。
6在上帝面前，我与你无异，
也是泥土造的。
7所以你不用惧怕我，
我不会对你施加压力。
8“你的话已进到我耳中，
我听见你说，
9‘我纯全无过，
我清白无罪，
10上帝却挑我的错，
与我为敌；
11祂给我戴上脚镣，
鉴察我的一举一动。’
12“我来答复你，你的话没有道理，
因为上帝比世人大。
13你为何向祂抱怨，
说祂不理会世人的话？
14上帝一再用各种方式说话，
然而世人却不明白。
15人躺在床上沉睡时，
在梦境和夜间的异象中，
16上帝开启他们的耳朵，
用警告惊吓他们，
17使他们离开罪恶，
不再骄傲，
18以免他们的灵魂坠入深坑，
他们的性命被刀剑夺去。
19“人因受罚而卧病在床，
骨头疼痛不止，
20以致毫无食欲，
对佳肴心生厌恶。
21他日渐消瘦，
只剩下骨头。
22他的灵魂临近深坑，
他的生命濒临死亡。
23如果一千天使中有一位能做他的中保，
指示他当行的事，
24上帝33:24 “上帝”希伯来文是“他”，也可能指天使。就会怜悯他，说，‘别让他下坟墓，
我已得到他的赎金。’
25那时，他的皮肉将嫩如孩童，
他将恢复青春的活力。
26他向上帝祷告时必蒙悦纳，
他欢呼着朝见上帝，
再度被祂视为义人。
27他会当众歌唱说，
‘我犯了罪，颠倒是非，
祂却没有按我的罪报应我。
28祂救赎我的灵魂，使之免下深坑，
使我的生命得见光明。’
29“看啊，这都是上帝的作为，
祂一次次地恩待世人，
30从深坑救回人的灵魂，
使他沐浴生命之光。
31约伯啊，留心听我说，
不要作声，我要发言。
32你若有话，就答复我；
你只管说，我愿看到你的清白。
33否则，请听我言；
不要作声，我要传授你智慧。”
