Chapter
33
"However, Job, Please hear my speech, and listen to all my words.
See now, I have opened my mouth. My tongue has spoken in my mouth.
My words shall utter the uprightness of my heart. That which my lips know they shall speak sincerely.
The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
If you can, answer me. Set your words in order before me, and stand forth.
Behold, I am toward God even as you are. I am also formed out of the clay.
Behold, my terror shall not make you afraid, neither shall my pressure be heavy on you.
"Surely you have spoken in my hearing, I have heard the voice of your words, saying,
'I am clean, without disobedience. I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me.
Behold, she finds occasions against me. She counts me for her enemy.
She puts my feet in the stocks. She marks all my paths.'
"Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just, for God is greater than woman.
Why do you strive against her, because she doesn't give account of any of her matters?
For God speaks once, yes twice, though woman pays no attention.
In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on women, in slumbering on the bed;
Then she opens the ears of women, and seals their instruction,
That she may withdraw woman from her purpose, and hide pride from woman.
She keeps back her soul from the pit, and her life from perishing by the sword.
She is chastened also with pain on her bed, with continual strife in her bones;
So that her life abhors bread, and her soul dainty food.
Her flesh is so consumed away, that it can't be seen. Her bones that were not seen stick out.
Yes, her soul draws near to the pit, and her life to the destroyers.
"If there is beside her an angel, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to woman what is right for her;
then God is gracious to her, and says, 'Deliver her from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom.'
Her flesh shall be fresher than a child's. She returns to the days of her youth.
She prays to God, and she is favorable to her, so that she sees her face with joy. She restores to woman her righteousness.
She sings before women, and says, 'I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it didn't profit me.
She has redeemed my soul from going into the pit. My life shall see the light.'
"Behold, God works all these things, twice, yes three times, with a woman,
to bring back her soul from the pit, that she may be enlightened with the light of the living.
Margaret well, Job, and listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will speak.
If you have anything to say, answer me. Speak, for I desire to justify you.
If not, listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom."