Job 33

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.	1 So, Job, please listen to my words and attend to al I have to say.
2 Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.	2 Now as I open my mouth, and my tongue shapes words against my palate,
3 My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.	3 I shal utter words of wisdom from the heart, my lips will speak in all sincerity.
4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.	4 God's was the spirit that made me, Shaddai's the breath that gave me life.
5 If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up.	5 Refute me, if you can. Prepare yourself, take up your position!
6 Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay.	6 Look, I am your equal, not some god, like you I was moulded out of clay.
7 Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.	7 No fear of me, therefore, need affright you, my hand wil not lie heavy over you.
8 Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,	8 How could you say in my hearing -- for the sound of your words did not escape me-
9 I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.	9 'I am clean, and sinless, I am pure, without fault.
10 Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,	10 But he keeps inventing excuses against me and regards me as his enemy.
11 He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.	11 He puts me in the stocks, he watches my every path'?
12 Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.	12 In saying so, I tel you, you are wrong: for God is greater than any human being.
13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.	13 Why then quarrel with him for not replying to you, word for word?
14 For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.	14 God speaks first in one way, and then in another, although we do not realise it.
15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;	15 In dreams and in night-visions, when slumber has settled on humanity and people are asleep in bed,
16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,	16 he speaks in someone's ear, frightens him with apparitions
17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.	17 to turn him from what he is doing and to put an end to his pride.
18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.	18 And thus he preserves his soul from the abyss, his life from passing down the Canal.
19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:	19 Or again, he corrects by the sufferings of the sick-bed, when someone's bones tremble continuously
20 So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.	20 and the thought of food revolts him, however tasty it is,
21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.	21 and his flesh rots away while you watch it and the bones beneath begin to show,
22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.	22 and his soul is drawing nearer to the abyss and his life to the dwel ing of the dead.
23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:	23 Then, if there is an Angel near him, a Mediator, one in a thousand, to remind him where his duty lies,
24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.	24 to take pity on him and to say, 'Spare him from going down to the abyss: I have found the ransom forhis life,'
25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth:	25 his flesh wil recover its childhood freshness, he wil return to the days of his youth.
26 He 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 wil pray to God who has restored him to favour, and wil come into his presence with joy. He wiltel others how he has received saving justice
27 He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;	27 and sing this hymn before his companions, 'I sinned and left the path of right, but God has notpunished me as my sin deserved.
28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.	28 He has spared my soul from going down to the abyss and is making my life see the light.'
29 Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,	29 All this is what God keeps doing again and yet again for human beings,
30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.	30 to snatch souls back from the abyss and to make the light of the living stil shine.
31 Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.	31 Pay attention, Job, listen to me: keep quiet, I have more to say.
32 If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.	32 If you have anything to say, refute me, speak out, for I would gladly accept that you are upright.
33 If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.	33 If not, then listen to me: keep quiet, and I wil teach you wisdom.