Elihu Addresses Job Directly

Job 33

Elihu invites Job to answer him as an equal formed from the same clay, then argues that God speaks to men through dreams, visions, and affliction in order to turn them from wrongdoing. He adds that if a man repents, God will restore his health and his life.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonNOW therefore, Job, hear thou my words, and listen attentively to my speech;

BrentonHowbeit hear, Job, my words, and hearken to my speech.

GreekΟὐ μὴν δὲ ἀλλὰ ἄκουσου Ἰὼβ τὰ ῥήματά μου, καὶ λαλιὰν ἐνωτίζου μου.

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

JPSHowbeit, Job, I pray thee, hear my speech, And hearken to all my words.

Thomsonfor lo! I have opened my mouth, and my tongue hath begun to speak.

BrentonFor behold, I have opened my mouth, and my tongue has spoken.

Greekγὰρ ἤνοιξα τὸ στόμα μου, καὶ ἐλάλησεν ἡ γλῶσσά μου.

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

JPSBehold now, I have opened my mouth, My tongue hath spoken in my mouth.

ThomsonMy words shall proceed from a pure heart; and the sentiments of my lips shall be pure.

BrentonMy heart shall be found pure by my words; and the understanding of my lips shall meditate purity.

GreekΚαθαρά μου ἡ καρδία ῥήμασι, σύνεσις δὲ χειλέων μου καθαρὰ νοήσει.

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

JPSMy words shall utter the uprightness of my heart; And that which my lips know they shall speak sincerely.

ThomsonIt is the divine spirit, which made me, even the inspiration of the Almighty which teacheth me.

BrentonThe Divine Spirit is that which formed me, and the breath of the Almighty that which teaches me.

GreekΠνεῦμα θεῖον τὸ ποιῆσάν με, πνοὴ δὲ παντοκράτορος ἡ διδάσκουσά με.

KJVThe spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

JPSThe spirit of God hath made me, And the breath of the Almighty given me life.

ThomsonIf thou art able, give me an answer; come to trial, and let us stand face to face.

BrentonIf thou canst, give me an answer: wait therefore; stand against me, and I will stand against thee.

GreekἘὰν δύνῃ, δός μοι ἀπόκρισιν, πρὸς ταῦτα ὑπόμεινον, στῆθι κατʼ ἐμὲ, καὶ ἐγὼ κατὰ σέ.

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

JPSIf thou canst, answer thou me, Set thy words in order before me, stand forth.

ThomsonThou art formed out of clay, and so am I: we are both made of the same material.

BrentonThou art formed out of the clay as also I: we have been formed out of the same substance.

GreekἘκ πηλοῦ διήρτισαι σὺ ὡς καὶ ἐγὼ, ἐκ τοῦ αὐτοῦ διηρτίσμεθα.

KJVBehold, I am according to thy wish in God’s stead: I also am formed out of the clay.

JPSBehold, I am toward God even as thou art; I also am formed out of the clay.

ThomsonBy the dread of me thou wilt not be terrified; nor, will this hand of mine be heavy on thee.

BrentonMy fear shall not terrify thee, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.

GreekΟὐχ ὁ φόβος μου σὲ στροβήσει, οὐδὲ ἡ χείρ μου βαρεῖα ἔσται ἐπὶ σοί.

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

JPSBehold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, Neither shall my pressure be heavy upon thee.

ThomsonNow thou hast said in my hearing—I heard the sound of thy words: for thou saidst,

BrentonBut thou hast said in mine ears, (I have heard the voice of thy words;) because thou sayest, I am pure, not having sinned;

GreekΠλὴν εἶπας ἐν ὠσί μου· φωνὴν ῥημάτων σου ἀκήκοα·

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

JPSSurely thou hast spoken in my hearing, And I have heard the voice of thy words;

Thomson“I am pure, I have not sinned; I am irreprehensible, for I have not transgressed.

BrentonI am blameless, for I have not transgressed.

Greekδιότι λέγεις, καθαρός εἰμι οὐχ ἁμαρτών, ἄμεμπτός εἰμι, οὐ γὰρ ἠνόμησα·

KJV—

JPS—

Thomson—

BrentonYet he has discovered a charge against me, and he has reckoned me as an adversary.

GreekΜέμψιν δὲ κατʼ ἐμοῦ εὗρεν· ἥγηται δέ με ὥσπερ ὑπεναντίον.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonHe hath put my foot in a clog, and watched all my ways.”

BrentonAnd he has put my foot in the stocks, and has watched all my ways.

GreekἜθετο δὲ ἐν ξύλῳ τὸν πόδα μου, ἐφύλαξε δέ μου πάσας τὰς ὁδούς.

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

JPSHe putteth my feet in the stocks, He marketh all my paths.’ .

ThomsonNow how dost thou say: “I am righteous, yet He hath not hearkened to me”? For He, Who is over mortals, is eternal.

BrentonFor how sayest thou, I am righteous, yet he has not hearkened to me? for he that is above mortals is eternal.

GreekΠῶς γὰρ λέγεις, δίκαιός εἰμι, καὶ οὐκ ἐπακήκοέ μου; αἰώνιος γάρ ἐστιν ὁ ἐπάνω βροτῶν.

KJV—

JPS—

Thomson—

BrentonBut thou sayest, Why has he not heard every word of my cause?

GreekΛέγεις δέ, διατί τῆς δίκης μου οὐκ ἐπακήκοέ μου πᾶν ῥῆμα;

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonFor the Lord may have spoken once, and again.—

BrentonFor when the Lord speaks once, or a second time,

GreekἘν γὰρ τῷ ἅπαξ λαλήσαι ὁ Κύριος, ἐν δὲ τῷ δευτέρῳ.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonIn a dream, for instance, or in a nightly vision: As when a dread horror falleth on men, during their slumbers on a bed;

Brentonsending a dream, or in the meditation of the night; (as when a dreadful alarm happens to fall upon men, in slumberings on the bed:)

Greekἐνύπνιον ἢ ἐν μελέτῃ νυκτερινῇ, ὡς ὅταν ἐπιπίπτῃ δεινὸς φόβος ἐπʼ ἀνθρώπους, ἐπὶ νυσταγμάτων ἐπὶ κοίτης·

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

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

Thomsonthen doth He open the understanding of men.

Brentonthen opens he the understanding of men: he scares them with such fearful visions:

GreekΤότε ἀνακαλύπτει νοῦν ἀνθρώπων, ἐν εἴδεσι φόβου τοιούτοις αὐτοὺς ἐξεφόβησεν.

KJVThen he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,

JPS—

ThomsonWith such appearances of terror He frighted them, to turn man away from iniquity. Again, He hath saved one’s body from a fall,

Brentonto turn a man from unrighteousness, and he delivers his body from a fall.

GreekἈποστρέψαι ἄνθρωπον ἀπὸ ἀδικίας, τὸ δὲ σῶμα αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ πτώματος ἐῤῥύσατο.

KJV—

JPS—

Thomsonand hath rescued his soul from death; and hath not suffered him to fall in battle.

BrentonHe spares also his soul from death, and suffers him not to fall in war.

GreekἘφείσατο δὲ τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ θανάτου, καὶ μὴ πεσεῖν αὐτὸν ἐν πολέμῳ.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonAgain, He hath rebuked him with sickness on a bed, and benumbed all his bones;

BrentonAnd again, he chastens him with sickness on his bed, and the multitude of his bones is benumbed.

GreekΠάλιν δὲ ἤλεγξεν αὐτὸν ἐπὶ μαλακίᾳ ἐπὶ κοίτης, καὶ πλῆθος ὀστῶν αὐτοῦ ἐνάρκησε.

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

JPS—

Thomsonso that he cannot take any nourishment, (though his soul longeth for food)

BrentonAnd he shall not be able to take any food, though his soul shall desire meat;

GreekΠᾶν δὲ βρωτὸν σίτου οὐ μὴ δύνηται προσδέξασθαι, καὶ ἡ ψυχὴ αὐτοῦ βρῶσιν ἐπιθυμήσει·

KJVSo that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.

JPS—

Thomsonuntil his flesh become rotten, and he can show his bones bare.

Brentonuntil his flesh shall be consumed, and he shall shew his bones bare.

Greekἕως ἂν σαπῶσιν αὐτοῦ αἱ σάρκες, καὶ ἀποδείξῃ τὰ ὀστᾶ αὐτοῦ κένα.

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

JPSHis flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; And his bones corrode to unsightliness.

ThomsonWhen his soul hath come near to death, and his life near to the mansion of the dead,

BrentonHis soul also draws nigh to death, and his life is in Hades.

GreekἬγγισε δὲ εἰς θάνατον ἡ ψυχὴ αὐτοῦ, ἡ δὲ ζωὴ αὐτοῦ ἐν ᾅδῃ·

KJV—

JPS—

Thomsonthough there may be a thousand messengers of death, not one of them can mortally wound him,

BrentonThough there should be a thousand messengers of death, not one of them shall wound him: if he should purpose in his heart to turn to the Lord, and declare to man his fault, and shew his folly;

GreekἘὰν ὦσι χιλιοι αγγελοι θανατηφόροι, εἷς αὐτῶν οὐ μὴ τρώσῃ αὐτόν· ἐὰν νοήσῃ τῇ καρδίᾳ ἐπιστραφῆναι πρὸς Κύριον, ἀναγγείλῃ δὲ ἀνθρώπῳ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ μέμψιν, τὴν δὲ ἄνοιαν αὐτοῦ δείξῃ,

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

JPSIf there be for him an angel, An intercessor, one among a thousand, To vouch for a man’s uprightness;

Thomson—

Brentonhe will support him, that he should not perish, and will restore his body as fresh plaster upon a wall; and he will fill his bones with marrow.

Greekἀνθέξεται τοῦ μὴ πεσεῖν εἰς θάνατον· ἀνανεώσει δὲ αὐτοῦ τὸ σῶμα ὥσπερ ἀλοιφὴν ἐπὶ τοίχου, τὰ δὲ ὀστᾶ αὐτοῦ ἐμπλήσει μυελοῦ·

KJV—

JPS—

Thomsonand will renew his body like the plastering on a wall, and fill his bones with marrow; and make his flesh soft like that of an infant, and restore him to full strength among men.

BrentonAnd he will make his flesh tender as that of a babe, and he will restore him among men in his full strength.

GreekἉπαλυνεῖ δὲ αὐτοῦ τὰς σάρκας ὥσπερ νηπίου, ἀποκαταστήσει δὲ αὐτὸν ἀνδρωθέντα ἐν ἀνθρώποις.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonAnd when he hath prayed to the Lord, and shall enjoy acceptable things, he will come with a cheerful countenance and with thanks: and render justice to men.

BrentonAnd he shall pray to the Lord, and his prayer shall be accepted of him; he shall enter with a cheerful countenance, with a full expression of praise: for he will render to men their due.

GreekΕὐξάμενος δὲ πρὸς Κύριον καὶ δεκτὰ αὐτῷ ἔσται, εἰσελεύσεται προσώπῳ ἱλαρῷ σὺν ἐξηγορίᾳ· ἀποδώσει δὲ ἀνθρώποις δικαιοσύνην.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonThen will such a man blame himself, and say, What I have done! He hath not chastened me, as my sins deserve!

BrentonEven then a man shall blame himself, saying, What kind of things have I done? and he has not punished me according to the full amount of my sins.

GreekΕἶτα τότε ἀπομέμψεται ἄνθρωπος αὐτὸς ἑαυτῷ, λέγων, οἷα συνετέλουν; καὶ οὐκ ἄξια ἤτασέ με ὧν ἥμαρτον.

KJV—

JPS—

ThomsonSave my soul, that it may not go to destruction, and let my life see light.

BrentonDeliver my soul, that it may not go to destruction, and my life shall see the light.

GreekΣῶσον ψυχήν μου τοῦ μὴ ἐλθεῖν εἰς διαφθορὰν, καὶ ἡ ζωή μου φῶς ὄψεται.

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

JPSSo He redeemeth his soul from going into the pit, And his life beholdeth the light.

ThomsonBehold in these three ways the Almighty doth all these things with man.

BrentonBehold, all these things the Mighty One works in a threefold manner with a man.

GreekἸδοὺ ταῦτα πάντα ἐργᾶται ὁ ἰσχυρὸς ὁδοὺς τρεῖς μετὰ ἀνδρός.

KJVLo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,

JPSLo, all these things doth God work, Twice, yea thrice, with a man,

ThomsonHe hath indeed delivered my soul from death; that in light my life may praise Him.

BrentonAnd he has delivered my soul from death, that my life may praise him in the light.

GreekΚαὶ ἐῤῥύσατο τὴν ψυχήν μου ἐκ θανάτου, ἵνα ἡ ζωή μου ἐν φωτὶ αἰνῇ αὐτόν.

KJVTo bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.

JPSTo bring back his soul from the pit, That he may be enlightened with the light of the living.

ThomsonListen attentively, Job, and hear me: keep silence that I may speak.

BrentonHearken, Job, and hear me: be silent, and I will speak.

GreekἘνωτίζου Ἰὼβ καὶ ἄκουέ μου· κώφευσον, καὶ ἐγώ εἰμι λαλήσω.

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

JPSMark well, O Job, hearken unto me; Hold thy peace, and I will speak.

ThomsonIf thou hast anything to say, answer me: speak; for I wish thee to be justified.

BrentonIf thou hast words, answer me: speak, for I desire thee to be justified.

GreekΕἰ εἰσί σοι λόγοι, ἀποκρίθητί μοι· λάλησον, θέλω γὰρ δικαιωθῆναί σε.

KJVIf thou hast anything to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.

JPSIf thou hast any thing to say, answer me; Speak, for I desire to justify thee.

ThomsonIf not, hearken to me: keep silence and I will teach thee.

BrentonIf not, do thou hear me: be silent, and I will teach thee.

GreekΕἰ μὴ, σὺ ἄκουσόν μου, κώφευσον καὶ διδάξω σε.

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

JPSIf not, hearken thou unto me; Hold thy peace, and I will teach thee wisdom.