1 B e that as it may, Job, I beg of you to hear what I have to say and give heed to all my words.

2 B ehold, here I am with open mouth; here is my tongue talking.

3 M y words shall express the uprightness of my heart, and my lips shall speak what they know with utter sincerity.

4 t he Spirit of God that made me, and the breath of the Almighty that gives me life.

5 A nswer me now, if you can; set your words in order before me; take your stand.

6 B ehold, I am toward God and before Him even as you are; I also am formed out of the clay.

7 S ee my terror; I shall not make you afraid, neither shall my pressure be heavy upon you.

8 S urely you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the voice of your words, saying,

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

10 B ut behold, God finds occasions against me and causes of alienation and indifference; He counts me as His enemy.

11 H e puts my feet in the stocks; He watches all my paths.

12 I reply to you, Behold, in this you are not just; God is superior to man.

13 W hy do you contend against Him? For He does not give account of any of His actions.

14 F or God speaks not only once, but more than once, even though men do not regard it.

15 i n a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men while slumbering upon the bed,

16 T hen He opens the ears of men and seals their instruction,

17 T hat He may withdraw man from his purpose and cut off pride from him.

18 H e holds him back from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.

19 h e is chastened with pain upon his bed and with continual strife in his bones or while all his bones are firmly set,

20 S o that his desire makes him loathe food, and even dainty dishes.

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

22 Y es, his soul draws near to corruption, and his life to the inflicters of death (the destroyers).

23 i f there is for the hearer a messenger or an angel, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man what is right for him,

24 T hen is gracious to him and says, Deliver him from going down into the pit; I have found a ransom (a price of redemption, an atonement)!

25 f lesh shall be restored; it becomes fresher and more tender than a child’s; he returns to the days of his youth.

26 H e prays to God, and He is favorable to him, so that he sees His face with joy; for restores to him his righteousness (his uprightness and right standing with God—with its joys).

27 H e looks upon other men or sings out to them, I have sinned and perverted that which was right, and it did not profit me, or He did not requite me!

28 h as redeemed my life from going down to the pit, and my life shall see the light!

29 B ehold, God does all these things twice, yes, three times, with a man,

30 T o bring back his life from the pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of the living.

31 G ive heed, O Job, listen to me; hold your peace, and I will speak.

32 I f you have anything to say, answer me; speak, for I desire to justify you.

33 I f not, listen to me; hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom.