1 Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my
speeches, and hearken to all my words.
2 Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in
my mouth.
3 My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my
lips shall utter knowledge clearly.
4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the
Almighty hath given me life.
5 If thou canst answer me, set thy words in
order before me, stand up.
6 Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead:
I also am formed out of the clay.
7 Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall
my hand be heavy upon thee.
8 Surely 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 Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for
his enemy,
11 He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.
12 Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer
thee, that God is greater than man.
13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account
of any of his matters.
14 For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth
it not.
15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep
falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their
instruction,
17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from
perishing by the sword.
19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the
multitude of his bones with strong pain:
20 So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.
21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his
bones that were
not seen stick out.
22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to
the destroyers.
23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among
a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:
24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from
going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.
25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return
to the days of his youth:
26 He 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 He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right,
and it profited me not;
28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his
life shall see the light.
29 Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,
30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with
the light of the living.
31 Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I
will speak.
32 If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I
desire to justify thee.
