The Tanakh · JPS 1917 Translation

Job 33

Jewish Publication Society 1917 · Ketuvim — the Writings

Job chapter 33 — part of the Ketuvim — the Writings in the Jewish Bible. In the classic JPS 1917 translation it opens: “Howbeit, Job, I pray thee, hear my speech, and hearken to all my words.” — the complete text of all 33 verses is below, free to read online.

1Howbeit, Job, I pray thee, hear my speech, and hearken to all my words.

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

3My words shall utter the uprightness of my heart; and that which my lips know they shall speak sincerely.

4The spirit of G-d hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty given me life.

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

6Behold, I am toward G-d even as thou art; I also am formed out of the clay.

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

8Surely thou hast spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words;

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

10Behold, He findeth occasions against me, He counteth me for His enemy;

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

12Behold, I answer thee: In this thou art not right, that G-d is too great for man;

13Why hast thou striven against Him? seeing that He will not answer any of his words.

14For G-d speaketh in one way, yea in two, though man perceiveth it not.

15In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;

16Then He openeth the ears of men, and by their chastisement sealeth the decree,

17That men may put away their purpose, and that He may hide pride from man;

18That He may keep back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.

19He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and all his bones grow stiff;

20So that his life maketh him to abhor bread, and his soul dainty food.

21His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones corrode to unsightliness.

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

23If there be for him an angel, an intercessor, one among a thousand, to vouch for a man's uprightness;

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

25His flesh is tenderer than a child's; he returneth to the days of his youth;

26He prayeth unto G-d, and He is favourable unto him; so that he seeth His face with joy; and He restoreth unto man his righteousness.

27He cometh before men, and saith: 'I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not.'

28So He redeemeth his soul from going into the pit, and his life beholdeth the light.

29Lo, all these things doth G-d work, twice, yea thrice, with a man,

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

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

32If thou hast any thing to say, answer me; speak, for I desire to justify thee.

33If not, hearken thou unto me; hold thy peace, and I will teach thee wisdom.

33 verses · JPS 1917 (public domain)

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