King James Bible | Berean Study Bible |
1Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words. | 1“But now, O Job, hear my speech, and listen to all my words. |
2Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth. | 2Behold, I will open my mouth; my address is on the tip of my tongue. |
3My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly. | 3My words are from an upright heart, and my lips speak sincerely what I know. |
4The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. | 4The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. |
5If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up. | 5Refute me if you can; prepare your case and confront me. |
6Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay. | 6I am just like you before God; I was also formed from clay. |
7Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee. | 7Surely no fear of me should terrify you; nor will my hand be heavy upon you. |
8Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying, | 8Surely you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard these very words: |
9I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me. | 9‘I am pure, without transgression; I am clean, with no iniquity in me. |
10Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy, | 10Yet God finds occasions against me; He counts me as His enemy. |
11He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths. | 11He puts my feet in the stocks; He watches over all my paths.’ |
12Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man. | 12Behold, you are not right in this matter. I will answer you, for God is greater than man. |
13Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters. | 13Why do you complain to Him that He answers nothing a man asks? |
14For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. | 14For God speaks in one way and in another, yet no one notices. |
15In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; | 15In a dream, in a vision in the night, when deep sleep falls upon men as they slumber on their beds, |
16Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, | 16He opens their ears and terrifies them with warnings |
17That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. | 17to turn a man from wrongdoing and keep him from pride, |
18He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. | 18to preserve his soul from the Pit and his life from perishing by the sword. |
19He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain: | 19A man is also chastened on his bed with pain and constant distress in his bones, |
20So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat. | 20so that he detests his bread, and his soul loathes his favorite food. |
21His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out. | 21His flesh wastes away from sight, and his hidden bones protrude. |
22Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers. | 22He draws near to the Pit, and his life to the messengers of death. |
23If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: | 23Yet if there is a messenger on his side, one mediator in a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him, |
24Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. | 24to be gracious to him and say, ‘Spare him from going down to the Pit; I have found his ransom,’ |
25His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth: | 25then his flesh is refreshed like a child’s; he returns to the days of his youth. |
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 finds favor; he sees God’s face and shouts for joy, and God restores His righteousness to that man. |
27He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; | 27Then he sings before men with these words: ‘I have sinned and perverted what was right; yet I did not get what I deserved. |
28He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light. | 28He redeemed my soul from going down to the Pit, and I will live to see the light.’ |
29Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man, | 29Behold, all these things God does to a man, two or even three times, |
30To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living. | 30to bring back his soul from the Pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of life. |
31Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak. | 31Pay attention, Job, and listen to me; be silent, and I will speak. |
32If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee. | 32But if you have something to say, answer me; speak up, for I would like to vindicate you. |
33If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom. | 33But if not, then listen to me; be quiet, and I will teach you wisdom.” |
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