1. Therefore, Job, hear now my reasons, and hearken to all my words.
2. Behold, now I shall open my mouth, my tongue shall speak in my mouth.
3. My reasons declare the uprightness of my heart; and my lips shall utter pure knowledge.
4. The Spirit of God made me, and the breath of the Almighty gave me life.
5. If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up.
6. Behold, I am according to thy wish in God’s stead; I also am formed out of the clay.
7. Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.
8. Surely thou hast spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,
9. I am clean without rebellion, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.
10. Behold, God sought occasions against me, he counts me for his enemy,
11. he put my feet in the stocks, he guards 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 will not answer all of thy words.
14. Nevertheless, in one or two manners God speaks to the one who does not see.
15. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
16. then he opens the ears of men and seals their instruction,
17. that he may withdraw the man from his own work and cover the man from pride.
18. Thus he keeps back his soul from the pit and his life from perishing by the sword.