The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
King James Version KJV
1 "So, Iyov, please, hear my speech; listen to all my words.
1
Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.
2 Look, I am opening my mouth; the words are on the tip of my tongue.
2
Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.
3 I will say exactly what is on my mind; what my lips know, they will speak sincerely.
3
My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.
4 It is the Spirit of God that made me, the breath of Shaddai that gives me life.
4
The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
5 So refute me, if you can; organize your words, take your stand!
5
If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up.
6 Look, before God I'm the same as you; I too am fashioned from clay.
6
Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay.
7 You don't need to be afraid of me; my pressure on you will not be heavy.
7
Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.
8 "You spoke within my hearing, and I heard what you said -
8
Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,
9 'I am clean, without transgression; I am innocent, not guilty.
9
I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.
10 Yet [God] finds pretexts for accusing me; he regards me as his enemy.
10
Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,
11 He puts my feet in the stocks and watches wherever I go.'
11
He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.
12 "But in this, you are wrong; I will answer you: God is greater than any mortal.
12
Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.
13 Why do you strive against him? He will not defend his words
13
Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.
14 God speaks once, even twice, and still the hearer misses the point.
14
For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
15 "In a dream, in a vision at night, when slumber falls upon people, as they sleep in their beds,
15
In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
16 he opens people's ears and seals the matter with a warning,
16
Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
17 to turn a person away from his action and protect a man from pride,
17
That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
18 so that he will keep himself away from the pit and from perishing by the sword.
18
He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
19 "He is also warned by pain when in bed, when all his bones are hurting;
19
He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:
20 so that he detests bread as well as richer food.
20
So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.
21 His flesh wastes away, till one can't stand to look; his bones protrude and become unsightly.
21
His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.
22 His soul comes close to the pit and his life to those who bring death.
22
Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.
23 "If there is for him an angel, a mediator, one among a thousand, who can vouch for the man's uprightness;
23
If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:
24 then [God] is gracious to him and says, 'Redeem him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom.'
24
Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.
25 His flesh becomes fresher than that of a child, he returns to the days of his youth.
25
His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth:
26 He prays to God and is accepted by him, so that he sees [God's] face with joy, and [God] repays the man for his righteousness.
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.
27 He declares before everyone, 'I sinned; I perverted what was right, and it gained me nothing.
27
He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;
28 [God] redeemed me from going into the pit, and now my life sees light.'
28
He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
29 God will accomplish all these things twice, even three times, with a man,
29
Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,
30 to bring him back from the pit, so that he can enjoy the light of the living.
30
To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.
31 "Pay attention, Iyov, listen to me; keep quiet, and I will keep speaking.
31
Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.
32 If you have something to say, answer me; speak, because I want to show that you are right.
32
If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.
33 If not, then listen to me; keep quiet, and I will teach you wisdom."
33
If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
The King James Version is in the public domain.