Job 33

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

1Elihu said, "Job, please listen to me. Listen to every word I say."

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

2"Look, I am opening my mouth now. My words are ready to come out."

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

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

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

4"God's Spirit made me. The breath of God, who is stronger than anyone, gives me life."

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

5"Answer me back if you can. Get your words ready and stand up."

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

6"Before God, I am just like you. I was made from clay too."

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

7"You do not need to be scared of me. 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,

8"I heard you say these things. I heard your own voice say them."

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

9"You said, 'I am clean. I have done nothing wrong. There is no evil in me.'"

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

10"'But God keeps finding reasons to blame me. He treats me like an enemy.'"

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

11"'He locks my feet in wooden clamps. He watches every step I take.'"

NoteStocks were heavy wooden blocks locked around a prisoner's feet so he could not walk away.

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

12"But you are wrong about this. Here is my answer: God is greater than any person."

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

13"Why do you argue with him? He does not explain himself to anyone."

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

14"God speaks one way, then another way. 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;

15"He speaks in a dream, in a picture seen at night. He speaks when people are sound asleep in bed."

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

16"Then he opens their ears. He gives them a warning they will remember."

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

17"He does this to turn a person away from doing wrong. He does it to keep a person from being proud."

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

18"He keeps that person from going down to the grave. He keeps him from dying by the sword."

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

19"God also corrects a person with pain in bed. His bones ache and ache."

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

20"Then he cannot stand the sight of bread. Even his favorite food makes him sick."

NoteThe KJV word "meat" means food of any kind, not just meat from animals.

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

21"His body wastes away until there is little left. His bones stick out where they never showed before."

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

22"He comes close to the grave. His life comes close to the ones who bring death."

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

23"But suppose a messenger stands with him. Suppose one helper out of a thousand tells him what is right."

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

24"That messenger is kind to him. He says, 'Save him from going down to the grave. I have found a payment to set him free.'"

NoteA "ransom" is a payment given to set someone free.

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

25"Then his body gets well, fresh as a child's body. He feels young again."

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.

26"He prays to God, and God is glad to help him. He sees God's face and shouts for joy. God makes things right for that man again."

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

27"Then he tells 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.

28"'God saved me from going down to the grave. Now I will live and see the light.'"

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

29"Look, God does all these things for a person. He does them again and again."

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

30"He brings a person back from the grave. He lets him live in the light again."

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

31"Pay 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.

32"If you have something to say, answer me. Speak up, because I would like to show you are right."

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

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