✧Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words. ✧2Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth. ✧3My words [shall be of] the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly. ✧4The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. ✧5If thou canst answer me, set [thy words] in order before me, stand up. ✧6Behold, I [am] according to thy wish in God’s stead: I also am formed out of the clay. ✧7Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee. ✧8Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of [thy] words, [saying], ✧9I am clean without transgression, I [am] innocent; neither [is there] iniquity in me. ✧10Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy, ✧11He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths. ✧12Behold, [in] this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man. ✧13Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters. ✧14For God speaketh once, yea twice, [yet man] perceiveth it not. ✧15In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; ✧16Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, ✧17That he may withdraw man [from his] purpose, and hide pride from man. ✧18He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. ✧19He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong [pain:] ✧20So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat. ✧21His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones [that] were not seen stick out. ✧22Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers. ✧23If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: ✧24Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. ✧25His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s: he shall return to the days of his youth: ✧26He 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. ✧27He looketh upon men, and [if any] say, I have sinned, and perverted [that which was] right, and it profited me not; ✧28He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light. ✧29Lo, all these [things] worketh God oftentimes with man, ✧30To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living. ✧31Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak. ✧32If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee. ✧33If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.