1 H owbeit, Job, I pray thee, hear mine utterances, and hearken to all my words.

2 B ehold now, I have opened my mouth, my tongue speaketh in my palate,

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

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; array before me: take thy stand.

6 B ehold, before God I am as thou; I also am formed out of the clay.

7 B ehold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, nor my burden be heavy upon thee.

8 S urely thou hast spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the voice of words:—

9 I am clean without transgression; I am pure, and there is no iniquity in me;

10 L o, he findeth occasions of hostility 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, I will answer thee in this, thou art not right; for +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, and twice,— 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 men's ears, and sealeth their instruction,

17 T hat he may withdraw man work, and hide pride from man.

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

19 H e is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and with constant strife in his bones;

20 A nd his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty food;

21 H is flesh is consumed away from view, and his bones that were not seen stick out;

22 A nd his soul draweth near to the pit, 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 duty;

24 T hen he will be gracious unto him, and say, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.

25 H is flesh shall be fresher than in childhood; he shall return to the days of his youth.

26 H e shall pray unto +God, and he will receive him with favour; and he shall see his face with shoutings, and he will render unto man his righteousness.

27 H e will sing before men, and say, I have sinned, and perverted what was right, and it hath not been requited to me;

28 H e hath delivered my soul from going into the pit, and my life shall see the light.

29 L o, all these worketh God twice, thrice, with man,

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

31 M ark well, Job, hearken unto me; be silent, and I will speak.

32 I f thou hast anything to say, answer me; speak, for I desire to justify thee.

33 I f not, hearken thou unto me; be silent, and I will teach thee wisdom.