1 | "But now, hear my speech, O Job, and listen to all my words. |
2 | Behold, I open my mouth; the tongue in my mouth speaks. |
3 | My words declare the uprightness of my heart, and what my lips know they speak sincerely. |
4 | The spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. |
5 | Answer me, if you can; set your words in order before me; take your stand. |
6 | Behold, I am toward God as you are; I too was formed from a piece of clay. |
7 | Behold, no fear of me need terrify you; my pressure will not be heavy upon you. |
8 | "Surely, you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the sound of your words. |
9 | You say, `I am clean, without transgression; I am pure, and there is no iniquity in me. |
10 | Behold, he finds occasions against me, he counts me as his enemy; |
11 | he puts my feet in the stocks, and watches all my paths.' |
12 | "Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you. God is greater than man. |
13 | Why do you contend against him, saying, `He will answer none of my words'? |
14 | For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. |
15 | In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, while they slumber on their beds, |
16 | then he opens the ears of men, and terrifies them with warnings, |
17 | that he may turn man aside from his deed, and cut off pride from man; |
18 | he keeps back his soul from the Pit, his life from perishing by the sword. |
19 | "Man is also chastened with pain upon his bed, and with continual strife in his bones; |
20 | so that his life loathes bread, and his appetite dainty food. |
21 | His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen; and his bones which were not seen stick out. |
22 | His soul draws near the Pit, and his life to those who bring death. |
23 | If there be for him an angel, a mediator, one of the thousand, to declare to man what is right for him; |
24 | and he is gracious to him, and says, `Deliver him from going down into the Pit, I have found a ransom; |
25 | let his flesh become fresh with youth; let him return to the days of his youthful vigor'; |
26 | then man prays to God, and he accepts him, he comes into his presence with joy. He recounts to men his salvation, |
27 | and he sings before men, and says: `I sinned and perverted what was right, and it was not requited to me. |
28 | He has redeemed my soul from going down into the Pit, and my life shall see the light.' |
29 | "Behold, God does all these things, twice, three times, with a man, |
30 | to bring back his soul from the Pit, that he may see the light of life. |
31 | Give heed, O 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." |