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[1]Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my talk and hearken unto all my words.
[2]Behold now, I have opened my mouth: my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.
[3]My words are in the uprightness of mine heart, and my lips shall speak pure knowledge.
[4]The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
[5]If thou canst give me answer, prepare thyself and stand before me.
[6]Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I am also formed of the clay.
[7]Behold, my terror shall not fear thee, neither shall mine hand be heavy upon thee.
[8]Doubtless thou hast spoken in mine ears, and I have heard the voice of thy words.
[9]I am clean, without sin: I am innocent, and there is none iniquity in me.
[10]Lo, he hath found occasions against me, and counted me for his enemy
[11]He hath put my feet in the stocks, and looketh narrowly unto all my paths.
[12]Behold, in this hast thou not done right: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.
[13]Why dost thou strive against him? For he doth not give account of all his matters.
[14]For God speaketh once or twice, and one seeth it not.
[15]In dreams and visions of the night, when sleep falleth upon men, and they sleep upon their beds,
[16]Then he openeth the ears of men, even by their corrections, which he had sealed,
[17]That he might cause man to turn away from his enterprise, and that he might hide the pride of man,
[18]And keep back his soul from the pit, and that his life should not pass by the sword.
[19]He is also striken with sorrow upon his bed, and the grief of his bones is sore,
[20]So that his life causeth him to abhor bread, and his soul dainty meat.
[21]His flesh faileth that it cannot be seen, and his bones which were not seen, clatter.
[22]So his soul draweth to the grave, and his life to the buriers.
[23]If there be a messenger with him , or an interpreter, one of a thousand to declare unto man his righteousness,
[24]Then will he have mercy upon him, and will say, Deliver him, that he go not down into the pit: for I have received a reconciliation.
[25]Then shall his flesh be as fresh as a child's, and shall return as in the days of his youth.
[26]He shall pray unto God, and he will be favorable unto him, and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.
[27]He looketh upon men, and if one say, I have sinned, and perverted righteousness, and it did not profit me,
[28]He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
[29]Lo, all these things will God work twice or thrice with a man,
[30]That he may turn back his soul from the pit, to be illuminate in the light of the living.
[31]Mark well, O Job, and hear me: keep silence, and I will speak.
[32]If there be matter, answer me, and speak: for I desire to justify thee.
[33]If thou hast not, hear me: hold thy tongue, and I will teach thee wisdom.
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