|
[1]Howbeit hear, Job, my words, and hearken to my speech.
[2]For behold, I have opened my mouth, and my tongue has spoken.
[3]My heart shall be found pure by my words; and the understanding of my lips shall meditate purity.
[4]The Divine Spirit is that which formed me, and the breath of the Almighty that which teaches me.
[5]If thou canst, give me an answer: wait therefore; stand against me, and I will stand against thee.
[6]Thou art formed out of the clay as also I: we have been formed out of the same substance.
[7]My fear shall not terrify thee, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.
[8]But thou hast said in mine ears, (I have heard the voice of thy words;)because thou sayest, I am pure, not having sinned;
[9]I am blameless, for I have not transgressed.
[10]Yet he has discovered a charge against me, and he has reckoned me as an adversary.
[11]And he has put my foot in the stocks, and has watched all my ways.
[12]For how sayest thou, I am righteous, yet he has not hearkened to me? for he that is above mortals is eternal.
[13]But thou sayest, Why has he not heard every word of my cause?
[14]For when the Lord speaks once, or a second time,
[15]sending a dream, or in the meditation of the night; (as when a dreadful alarm happens to fall upon men, in slumberings on the bed:)
[16]then opens he the understanding of men: he scares them with such fearful visions:
[17]to turn a man from unrighteousness, and he delivers his body from a fall.
[18]He spares also his soul from death, and suffers him not to fall in war.
[19]And again, he chastens him with sickness on his bed, and the multitude of his bones is benumbed.
[20]And he shall not be able to take any food, though his soul shall desire meat;
[21]until his flesh shall be consumed, and he shall shew his bones bare.
[22]His soul also draws nigh to death, and his life is in Hades.
[23]Though there should be a thousand messengers of death, not one of them shall wound him: if he should purpose in his heart to turn to the Lord, and declare to man his fault, and shew his folly;
[24]he will support him, that he should not perish, and will restore his body as fresh plaster upon a wall; and he will fill his bones with morrow.
[25]And he will make his flesh tender as that of a babe, and he will restore him among men in his full strength.
[26]And he shall pray to the Lord, and his prayer shall be accepted of him; he shall enter with a cheerful countenance, with a full expression of praise: for he will render to men their due.
[27]Even then a man shall blame himself, saying, What kind of things have I done? and he has not punished me according to the full amount of my sins.
[28]Deliver my soul, that it may not go to destruction, and my life shall see the light.
[29]Behold, all these things, the Mighty One works in a threefold manner with a man.
[30]And he has delivered my soul from death, that my life may praise him in the light.
[31]Hearken, Job, and hear me: be silent, and I will speak.
[32]If thou hast words, answer me: speak, for I desire thee to be justified.
[33]If not, do thou hear me: be silent, and I will teach thee.
|