Oh, how I wish that God would speak,(A)
    that he would open his lips against you

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But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;

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The Lord Speaks

38 Then the Lord spoke to Job(A) out of the storm.(B) He said:

“Who is this that obscures my plans(C)
    with words without knowledge?(D)

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38 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

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Epilogue

After the Lord had said these things to Job(A), he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “I am angry with you and your two friends,(B) because you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has.(C)

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And it was so, that after the Lord had spoken these words unto Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.

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“Would you discredit my justice?(A)
    Would you condemn me to justify yourself?(B)

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Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?

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40 The Lord said to Job:(A)

“Will the one who contends with the Almighty(B) correct him?(C)
    Let him who accuses God answer him!”(D)

Then Job answered the Lord:

“I am unworthy(E)—how can I reply to you?
    I put my hand over my mouth.(F)
I spoke once, but I have no answer(G)
    twice, but I will say no more.”(H)

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40 Moreover the Lord answered Job, and said,

Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.

Then Job answered the Lord, and said,

Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.

Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.

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I am the same as you in God’s sight;(A)
    I too am a piece of clay.(B)
No fear of me should alarm you,
    nor should my hand be heavy on you.(C)

“But you have said in my hearing—
    I heard the very words—
‘I am pure,(D) I have done no wrong;(E)
    I am clean and free from sin.(F)
10 Yet God has found fault with me;
    he considers me his enemy.(G)
11 He fastens my feet in shackles;(H)
    he keeps close watch on all my paths.’(I)

12 “But I tell you, in this you are not right,
    for God is greater than any mortal.(J)
13 Why do you complain to him(K)
    that he responds to no one’s words[a]?(L)
14 For God does speak(M)—now one way, now another(N)
    though no one perceives it.(O)
15 In a dream,(P) in a vision(Q) of the night,(R)
    when deep sleep(S) falls on people
    as they slumber in their beds,
16 he may speak(T) in their ears
    and terrify them(U) with warnings,(V)
17 to turn them from wrongdoing
    and keep them from pride,(W)
18 to preserve them from the pit,(X)
    their lives from perishing by the sword.[b](Y)

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Footnotes

  1. Job 33:13 Or that he does not answer for any of his actions
  2. Job 33:18 Or from crossing the river

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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35 (“Oh, that I had someone to hear me!(A)
    I sign now my defense—let the Almighty answer me;
    let my accuser(B) put his indictment in writing.

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35 Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book.

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If only I knew where to find him;
    if only I could go to his dwelling!(A)
I would state my case(B) before him
    and fill my mouth with arguments.(C)
I would find out what he would answer me,(D)
    and consider what he would say to me.
Would he vigorously oppose me?(E)
    No, he would not press charges against me.(F)
There the upright(G) can establish their innocence before him,(H)
    and there I would be delivered forever from my judge.(I)

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Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!

I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.

Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.

There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.

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