1“However, Job, please hear my speech, and listen to all my words.2See now, I have opened my mouth. My tongue has spoken in my mouth.3My words shall utter the uprightness of my heart. That which my lips know they shall speak sincerely.4The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.5If you can, answer me. Set your words in order before me, and stand up.6Behold, I am toward God even as you are. I am also formed out of the clay.7Behold, my terror shall not make you afraid, neither shall my pressure be heavy on you.8“Surely you have spoken in my hearing, I have heard the voice of your words, saying,9‘I am clean, without disobedience. I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me.10Behold, he finds occasions against me. He counts me for his enemy.11He puts my feet in the stocks. He marks all my paths.’12“Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just, for God is greater than man.13Why do you strive against him, because he doesn’t give account of any of his matters?14For God speaks once, yes twice, though man pays no attention.15In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, in slumbering on the bed;16Then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction,17That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.18He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.19He is chastened also with pain on his bed, with continual strife in his bones;20So that his life abhors bread, and his soul dainty food.21His flesh is so consumed away, that it can’t be seen. His bones that were not seen stick out.22Yes, his soul draws near to the pit, and his life to the destroyers.23“If there is beside him an angel, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man what is right for him;24then God is gracious to him, and says, ‘Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom.’25His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s. He returns to the days of his youth.26He prays to God, and he is favorable to him, so that he sees his face with joy. He restores to man his righteousness.27He sings before men, and says, ‘I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it didn’t profit me.28He has redeemed my soul from going into the pit. My life shall see the light.’29“Behold, God does all these things, twice, yes three times, with a man,30to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of the living.31Mark well, Job, and listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will speak.32If you have anything to say, answer me. Speak, for I desire to justify you.33If not, listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom.”
