1So now, Job, I ask you, hear what I say. Listen to all my words.
2Look, now I have opened my mouth. My tongue has begun to speak.
3My words will come from an upright heart. My lips will speak knowledge clearly.
4The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty has given me life.
5If you can answer me, put your words in order before me. Stand up.
6Look, before God I am just as you are. I too was formed out of the clay.
7Look, no terror from me will frighten you, and my hand will not be heavy on you.
8Surely you have spoken where I could hear it. I heard the sound of your words. You said,
9"I am clean, without wrongdoing. I am innocent. There is no sin in me."
10Look, God finds reasons against me. He counts me as his enemy.
11"He puts my feet in the stocks. He watches all my paths."
12Look, in this you are not right. I will answer you: God is greater than man.
13Why do you argue against him? He does not give an account of any of his doings.
14For God speaks once, yes twice, yet man does not notice it.
15In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on people, as they slumber on the bed;
16then he opens the ears of people, and seals their instruction,
17so that he may turn a man away from what he plans, and hide pride from him.
18He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
19He is also corrected with pain on his bed, and with constant aching in all his bones,
20so that his life hates bread, and his soul hates the finest food.
21His flesh wastes away until it cannot be seen. His bones, which were hidden, stick out.
22Yes, his soul draws near to the grave, and his life to the destroyers.
23If there is a messenger with him, one who explains, one among a thousand, to show a man what is right for him,
24then God is gracious to him, and says, "Save him from going down to the pit. I have found a ransom."
25His flesh will be fresher than a child's. He will return to the days of his youth.
26He will pray to God, and God will look on him with favour. He will see his face with joy, for God will give back to him his righteousness.
27He looks on people, and if anyone says, "I have sinned, and twisted what was right, and it did not help me,"
28God will save his soul from going into the pit, and his life will see the light.
29Look, God does all these things with a man again and again,
30to bring back his soul from the pit, so that he may be lit with the light of the living.
31Pay close attention, Job. Listen to me. Be quiet, and I will speak.
32If you have anything to say, answer me. Speak, for I want to show that you are right.
33If not, listen to me. Be quiet, and I will teach you wisdom.