1 But please, Job, hear my speech, and listen to all my words.
2 Behold, now I have opened my mouth; my tongue has spoken in my mouth.
3 My words come from my upright heart; my lips shall utter knowledge in purity.
4 The Spirit of the Mighty God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
5 If you are able, answer me, set your words in order before me; take your stand.
6 Behold, I am as your spokesman before the Mighty God; I also have been formed out of clay.
7 Surely no fear of me will terrify you, nor shall my burden be heavy upon you.
8 Surely you have spoken in my ears, and I have heard the sound of your words, saying,
9 I am pure, without transgression; I am innocent, and there is no iniquity in me.
10 Yet He finds opposition in me, He counts me as His enemy;
11 He puts my feet in the stocks, He watches all my paths.
12 Behold, in this you have not been righteous. I will answer you, for God is greater than man.
13 Why do you contend with Him? For He does not give account to you of His business.
14 For the Mighty God may speak once or twice, yet no one regards it.
15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, while slumbering on their beds,
16 then He opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction.
17 In order to turn man from his deed, and conceal pride from man,
18 He keeps back his soul from the Pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
19 Man is also chastened with pain on his bed, and with perpetual strife in his bones,
20 so that his life loathes bread, and his soul desirable food.
21 His flesh wastes away from sight, and his bones which once were not seen are laid bare.
22 Yea, his soul draws near the Pit, and his life to the executioners.
23 If there is a messenger for him, a mediator, one among a thousand, to declare for man his uprightness,
24 then let Him be gracious to him and say, Deliver him from going down to the Pit; I have found a ransom.
25 His flesh shall be fresh like a youths, he shall return to the days of his vigor.
26 He shall pray unto God, and He will delight in him; he shall see His face with joy, for He restores to man His righteousness.
27 Then he observes men and says, I have sinned, and perverted what was right; and it has not been equaled to me.
28 He has redeemed my soul from passing over to the Pit, and my life shall see the light.
29 Lo, the Mighty God works all these things twice or three times with a man,
30 to bring back his soul from the Pit, that he may be enlightened with the Light of Life.
31 Pay attention, Job, listen to me; be silent, and I will speak.
32 If you have anything to say, answer me; speak, for I desire to justify you.
33 If not, listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.