1. Therefore, O Job, hear my discourse;listen to all my words.
2. Behold, now I open my mouth;my tongue and voice form words.
3. I will state directly what is in my mind,my lips shall speak knowledge clearly;
4. For the spirit of God made me,the breath of the Almighty keeps me alive.
5. If you are able, refute me;draw up your arguments and take your stand.
6. Look, I am like you before God,I too was pinched from clay.
7. Therefore fear of me should not dismay you,nor should I weigh heavily upon you.
8. But you have said in my hearing,as I listened to the sound of your words:
9. “I am clean, without transgression;I am innocent, there is no guilt in me.
10. Yet he invents pretexts against meand counts me as an enemy.