^[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 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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