King James Bible

International Standard Version

1Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.

1"Now please listen to what I have to say, Job. Listen to every word!

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

2Look! I've begun to speak, and I'm fashioning my words.

3My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.

3I speak from the innocence of my heart; and my lips will utter what I sincerely know.

4The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

4"The spirit of God fashioned me; and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

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

5Answer me, if you can! Present your case! Take your stand in my presence!

6Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay.

6Look! As far as God is concerned, I'm just like you are— I, too, have been pinched off from a piece of clay.

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

7Don't be afraid of me; I'll go easy on you."

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

8"You spoke clearly so I could hear; I've heard what you've said:

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

9I'm pure. I'm without sin; I'm innocent. I'm harboring no iniquity inside of me.

10Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,

10Nevertheless, God has found a pretext to attack me; he considers me his enemy.

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

11He has bound my feet in shackles, and keeps watching everything I do.'"

12Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.

12"You aren't right about this; My response is that God is greater than human beings.

13Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.

13Why are you arguing with him? He doesn't have to give explanations for what he does to you!

14For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.

14"God speaks time and time again — but nobody notices—

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

15in a dream or night vision, when a deep sleep falls on mankind while they sleep on their beds.

16Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,

16That's when he opens the ear of mankind, authenticating his messages to them,

17That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.

17turning a person from his actions, keeping him from pride,

18He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.

18sparing his soul from the Pit and his life from violent death.

19He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:

19"He is being reproved by painful bed rest, with continual aching in his bones.

20So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.

20He cannot stand his food, and he has no desire for appetizing food.

21His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.

21His flesh wastes away; his bones, which once couldn't be seen, are visible.

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

22His soul is getting close to the Pit; his life is approaching its executioner."

23If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:

23"If there's a messenger appointed to mediate for Job —one out of a thousand— to represent the man's integrity on his behalf,

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

24to show favor to him and to plead, 'Deliver him from having to go down to the Pit — I know where his ransom is!'

25His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth:

25Let his flesh be rejuvenated as he was in his youth! Let him recover the strength 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.

26Let him pray to God and he will accept him; he will appear before him with joyful shouts!"

27He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;

27"He'll sing to mankind with these words: 'I've sinned. I have twisted what is right. Yet he has not repaid me like I deserve.

28He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.

28He has redeemed my soul from going down to the Pit; my life will see the light.'

29Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,

29Indeed God does all these things again and again with a person

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; to light him with the light of life."

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

31"Job, pay attention! Listen to me! Be silent and let me speak.

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

32If you have anything to say, answer me; speak up, because I'd be happy to vindicate you.

33If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.

33But if you have nothing to say, then at least listen to me! Be quiet and learn some wisdom from me."

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.