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.
11. He puts my feet in the stocks,watches all my paths!”
12. In this you are not just, let me tell you;for God is greater than mortals.