| 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,1 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 wish2 in God's stead: I also am formed3 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,4 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 giveth5 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 ears6 of men, and sealeth their instruction,
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| 17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose,7 and hide pride from man.
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| 18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing8 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 dainty9 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.10
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| 25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child's:11 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 He12 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 He13 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 oftentimes14 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 any thing 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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