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