Job 33 – KJV & NIV

King James Version

Job 33:1-33

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.

New International Version

Job 33:1-33

1“But now, Job, listen to my words;

pay attention to everything I say.

2I am about to open my mouth;

my words are on the tip of my tongue.

3My words come from an upright heart;

my lips sincerely speak what I know.

4The Spirit of God has made me;

the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

5Answer me then, if you can;

stand up and argue your case before me.

6I am the same as you in God’s sight;

I too am a piece of clay.

7No fear of me should alarm you,

nor should my hand be heavy on you.

8“But you have said in my hearing—

I heard the very words—

9‘I am pure, I have done no wrong;

I am clean and free from sin.

10Yet God has found fault with me;

he considers me his enemy.

11He fastens my feet in shackles;

he keeps close watch on all my paths.’

12“But I tell you, in this you are not right,

for God is greater than any mortal.

13Why do you complain to him

that he responds to no one’s words33:13 Or that he does not answer for any of his actions?

14For God does speak—now one way, now another—

though no one perceives it.

15In a dream, in a vision of the night,

when deep sleep falls on people

as they slumber in their beds,

16he may speak in their ears

and terrify them with warnings,

17to turn them from wrongdoing

and keep them from pride,

18to preserve them from the pit,

their lives from perishing by the sword.33:18 Or from crossing the river

19“Or someone may be chastened on a bed of pain

with constant distress in their bones,

20so that their body finds food repulsive

and their soul loathes the choicest meal.

21Their flesh wastes away to nothing,

and their bones, once hidden, now stick out.

22They draw near to the pit,

and their life to the messengers of death.33:22 Or to the place of the dead

23Yet if there is an angel at their side,

a messenger, one out of a thousand,

sent to tell them how to be upright,

24and he is gracious to that person and says to God,

‘Spare them from going down to the pit;

I have found a ransom for them—

25let their flesh be renewed like a child’s;

let them be restored as in the days of their youth’—

26then that person can pray to God and find favor with him,

they will see God’s face and shout for joy;

he will restore them to full well-being.

27And they will go to others and say,

‘I have sinned, I have perverted what is right,

but I did not get what I deserved.

28God has delivered me from going down to the pit,

and I shall live to enjoy the light of life.’

29“God does all these things to a person—

twice, even three times—

30to turn them back from the pit,

that the light of life may shine on them.

31“Pay attention, Job, and listen to me;

be silent, and I will speak.

32If you have anything to say, answer me;

speak up, for I want to vindicate you.

33But if not, then listen to me;

be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.”