1. “Therefore, Job, I pray, hear my speeches,and listen to all my words.
2. Behold, now I have opened my mouth;my tongue has spoken in my mouth.
3. My words will be from the uprightness of my heart,and my lips will utter knowledge clearly.
4. The Spirit of God has made me,and the breath of the Almighty has given me life.
5. If you can answer me,set your words in order before me; stand up.
6. Surely I am before God like you;I also am formed out of the clay.
7. Indeed, no dread of me will make you afraid,nor will my hand be heavy upon you.
8. “Surely you have spoken in my hearing,and I have heard the sound of your words, saying,
9. ‘I am clean, without transgression;I am innocent, nor is there iniquity in me.
10. Behold, He finds occasions against me,He counts me for His enemy;
11. He puts my feet in the stocks,He watches all my paths.’
12. “Look, in this you are not just.I will answer you, that God is greater than man.
13. Why do you strive against Him?For He does not give an accounting for any of His words.
14. For God speaks once, yes twice,yet man does not perceive it.
15. In a dream, in a vision of the night,when deep sleep falls upon men,in slumber on their beds,
16. then He opens the ears of men,and seals their instruction,
17. that He might turn aside man from his purpose,and conceal pride from man.
18. He keeps back his soul from the pit,and his life from perishing by the sword.
19. “He is also chastened with pain on his bed,and with strong pain in many of his bones,
20. so that his life abhors bread,and his soul dainty food.
21. His flesh is consumed away that it cannot be seen,and his bones that were not seen stick out.
22. Yes, his soul draws near to the grave,and his life to the executioners.
23. If there is a messenger for him,an interpreter, one among a thousand,to show to man what is right for him,
24. then He is gracious to him, and says,‘Deliver him from going down to the pit;I have found a ransom.’
25. His flesh will be fresher than a child’s;he will return to the days of his youth;
26. he will pray to God, and He will be favorable unto him,and he will see His face with joy,for He will render unto man His righteousness.
27. Then he looks at men and says,‘I have sinned and perverted what was right,and it did not profit me.’
28. He will deliver his soul from going down to the pit,and his life will see the light.
29. “Behold, God works all these things,twice, three times with man,
30. to bring back his soul from the pit,to be enlightened with the light of the living.
31. “Pay attention, Job, listen to me;hold your peace, and I will speak.
32. If you have anything to say, answer me;speak, for I desire to justify you.
33. If not, listen to me; hold your peace,and I will teach you wisdom.”