1 W herefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.

2 B ehold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.

3 M y words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.

4 T he Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

5 I f thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up.

6 B ehold, I am according to thy wish in God’s stead: I also am formed out of the clay.

7 B ehold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.

8 S urely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,

9 I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.

10 B ehold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,

11 h e putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.

12 B ehold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.

13 W hy dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.

14 F or God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.

15 I n a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;

16 t hen he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,

17 t hat he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.

18 H e keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.

19 H e is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:

20 S o that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.

21 H is flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.

22 Y ea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.

23 I f there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:

24 t hen he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.

25 H is flesh shall be fresher than a child’s: he shall return to the days of his youth:

26 h e shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.

27 H e looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;

28 h e will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.

29 L o, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,

30 t o bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.

31 M ark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.

32 I f thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.

33 I f not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.