Job

Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.

1So now, Job, please listen to what I say. Pay attention to every word.

2Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.

2Look, I have opened my mouth. My words are ready on my tongue.

3My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.

3My words come from an honest heart. My lips will say clearly what I know.

4The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

4The Spirit of God made me. The breath of the Almighty gave me life.

5If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up.

5Answer me if you can. Get your case ready and stand up to me.

6Behold, I am according to thy wish in God’s stead: I also am formed out of the clay.

6Look, before God I am no different from you. I was shaped out of clay too.

7Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.

7No fear of me should scare you. I will not press down hard on you.

8Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,

8I heard you say it myself. These are the words I heard you speak:

9I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.

9'I am clean. I have done no wrong. I am innocent, and there is no guilt in me.

10Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,

10But God keeps finding reasons to blame me. He treats me like his enemy.

11He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.

11He locks my feet in the stocks. He watches every step I take.'

NoteStocks were a heavy wooden frame that clamped a prisoner's feet so he could not move.

12Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.

12Look, you are wrong about this, and I will tell you why. God is greater than any person.

13Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.

13Why do you argue with him, complaining that he never explains what he does?

14For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.

14God does speak, one way and then another, but people do not notice.

15In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;

15He speaks in a dream, in a vision at night, when deep sleep falls on people lying in bed.

16Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,

16Then he opens their ears, and his warning goes deep and stays with them.

17That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.

17He does this to turn a person away from doing wrong, and to keep him from being proud.

18He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.

18He holds him back from the pit, and keeps his life from ending by the sword.

Note'The pit' means the grave, or death itself. Elihu uses the word several times in this chapter.

19He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:

19God also corrects a person with pain in bed, with an ache that never leaves his bones.

20So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.

20The sick man cannot stand the sight of bread. Even his favorite food disgusts him.

NoteIn the KJV, 'meat' means food of any kind, not just the flesh of animals. 'Dainty meat' means the food a person likes best.

21His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.

21His body wastes away until there is nothing to see. Bones that were hidden now stick out.

22Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.

22He comes close to the grave. His life is nearly in the hands of death.

23If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:

23But suppose a messenger is on his side, one who speaks for him, one in a thousand, to tell the man what is right.

24Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.

24Then God is kind to him and says, 'Save him from going down to the pit. I have found a way to buy him back.'

25His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s: he shall return to the days of his youth:

25Then his body becomes fresh again, like a child's. He goes back to the strength of his young days.

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.

26He prays to God, and God is pleased with him. He sees God's face and shouts for joy. God sets him right again.

27He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;

27He tells other people, 'I sinned. I twisted what was right. But I did not get what I deserved.

28He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.

28God saved me from going down into the pit, and now I am alive to see the light.'

29Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,

29Look, God does all these things for a person, again and again,

30To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.

30to bring him back from the pit, so he can enjoy the light of the living.

31Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.

31Pay close attention, Job. Listen to me. Be quiet, and I will speak.

32If thou hast anything to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.

32But if you have something to say, answer me. Speak up, because I would like to show that you are right.

33If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.

33If you have nothing to say, then listen to me. Be quiet, and I will teach you wisdom.