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1 Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.
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2 Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.
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3 My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.
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4 The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
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5 If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up.
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6 Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay.
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7 Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.
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8 Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,
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9 I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.
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10 Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,
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11 He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.
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12 Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.
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13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.
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14 For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
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15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
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16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
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17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
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18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
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19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:
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20 So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.
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21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.
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22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.
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23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:
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24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.
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25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth:
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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.
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27 He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;
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28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
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29 Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,
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30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.
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31 Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.
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32 If thou hast anything to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.
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33 If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.
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- 1 “However now, Job, please hear my speech, And listen to all my words.
- 2 “Behold now, I open my mouth, My tongue in my mouth speaks.
- 3 “My words are from the uprightness of my heart, And my lips speak knowledge sincerely.
- 4 “The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
- 5 “Refute me if you can; Array yourselves before me, take your stand.
- 6 “Behold, I belong to God like you; I too have been formed out of the clay.
- 7 “Behold, no fear of me should terrify you, Nor should my pressure weigh heavily on you.
- 8 “Surely you have spoken in my hearing, And I have heard the sound of your words:
- 9 'I am pure, without transgression; I am innocent and there is no guilt in me.
- 10 'Behold, He invents pretexts against me; He counts me as His enemy.
- 11 'He puts my feet in the stocks; He watches all my paths.'
- 12 “Behold, let me tell you, you are not right in this, For God is greater than man.
- 13 “Why do you complain against Him That He does not give an account of all His doings?
- 14 “Indeed God speaks once, Or twice, yet no one notices it.
- 15 “In a dream, a vision of the night, When sound sleep falls on men, While they slumber in their beds,
- 16 Then He opens the ears of men, And seals their instruction,
- 17 That He may turn man aside from his conduct, And keep man from pride;
- 18 He keeps back his soul from the pit, And his life from passing over into Sheol.
- 19 “Man is also chastened with pain on his bed, And with unceasing complaint in his bones;
- 20 So that his life loathes bread, And his soul favorite food.
- 21 “His flesh wastes away from sight, And his bones which were not seen stick out.
- 22 “Then his soul draws near to the pit, And his life to those who bring death.
- 23 “If there is an angel as mediator for him, One out of a thousand, To remind a man what is right for him,
- 24 Then let him be gracious to him, and say, 'Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom';
- 25 Let his flesh become fresher than in youth, Let him return to the days of his youthful vigor;
- 26 Then he will pray to God, and He will accept him, That he may see His face with joy, And He may restore His righteousness to man.
- 27 “He will sing to men and say, 'I have sinned and perverted what is right, And it is not proper for me.
- 28 'He has redeemed my soul from going to the pit, And my life shall see the light.'
- 29 “Behold, God does all these oftentimes with men,
- 30 To bring back his soul from the pit, That he may be enlightened with the light of life.
- 31 “Pay attention, O Job, listen to me; Keep silent, and let me speak.
- 32 “Then if you have anything to say, answer me; Speak, for I desire to justify you.
- 33 “If not, listen to me; Keep silent, and I will teach you wisdom.”
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