| 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." |
