1 “ But now, Job, hear what I say. Listen to all my words.

2 S ee, I open my mouth. My tongue in my mouth wants to speak.

3 M y words come from my heart that is right. My lips speak in truth what I know.

4 T he Spirit of God has made me. And the breath of the All-powerful gives me life.

5 P rove me wrong if you can. Get ready to answer me, and take your stand.

6 S ee, I belong to God like you. I also have been made from the clay.

7 S ee, you have no reason to be afraid of me. I should not make it hard for you.

8 “ For sure you have spoken in my hearing. I have heard all you have said.

9 Y ou said, ‘I am pure and without sin. I am not guilty, and there is no sin in me.

10 B ut see, God finds things against me. He thinks of me as someone who hates Him.

11 H e puts my feet in chains, and watches all my paths.’

12 S ee, I tell you, in this you are not right. For God is greater than man.

13 “ Why do you complain against Him? He does not give a reason for all He does.

14 F or God speaks once, or twice, and yet no one listens.

15 I n a dream, a special dream of the night, when deep sleep comes upon men, while they sleep in their beds,

16 t hen He opens the ears of men. He teaches them and makes them afraid telling them of danger,

17 t hat He may turn man away from wrong-doing and keep him from pride.

18 H e keeps his soul from going to the place of the dead. And He keeps his life from being destroyed by the sword.

19 “ Man is also punished with pain on his bed and has pain all the time in his bones.

20 S o he hates bread, and has no desire for fine foods.

21 H is flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen. His bones which were not seen stick out.

22 H is soul comes close to the grave, and his life to those who bring death.

23 “ If there is an angel, one out of a thousand, to speak with God for him, and to show a man what is right for him,

24 t hen let him be kind to him, and say, ‘Save him from going down to the grave. I have found someone to pay the price to make him free.

25 L et his flesh become young again. Let him return to the days when he was young and strong.’

26 T hen he will pray to God, and God will be pleased with him. He will see His face with joy. And God will make man right with Him again.

27 H e will sing to men and say, ‘I have sinned and have not done what is right, but He did not punish me.

28 H e has kept my soul from going to the grave. And my life will see the light.’

29 “ See, God does all these things twice, even three times, to a man,

30 t o turn back his soul from the grave, that he may see the light of life.

31 H ear what I say, O Job, listen to me. Be quiet and let me speak.

32 I f you have anything to say, answer me. Speak, for I want to make you right with God.

33 I f not, listen to me. Be quiet, and I will teach you wisdom.”