1However, Job, I pray thee, hear my speech, and hearken to all my words. 2Behold now, I have opened my mouth. My tongue has spoken in my mouth. 3My words [shall utter] the uprightness of my heart, and that which my lips know they shall speak sincerely. 4The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. 5If thou can, answer thou me. Set [thy words] in order before me. Stand forth. 6Behold, I am toward God even as thou are. I also am formed out of the clay. 7Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, nor shall my pressure be heavy upon thee. 8Surely thou have spoken in my 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. 10[Thou say,] Behold, he finds occasions against me. He counts me for his enemy. 11He puts my feet in the stocks. He marks all my paths. 12Behold, I will answer thee. In this thou are not just, for God is greater than man. 13Why do thou strive against him because he does not give of any of his matters? 14For God speaks once, yea twice, [though man] does not regard it. 15In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, in slumberings upon the bed. 16Then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction 17that he may withdraw man [from his] purpose, and hide pride from man. 18He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. 19He also is chastened with pain upon his bed, and with continual strife in his bones, 20so that his life abhors bread, and his soul dainty food. 21His flesh is consumed away that it cannot be seen. And his bones that were not seen stick out. 22Yea, his soul draws near to the pit, and his life to the destroyers. 23If there be with him a [heavenly] agent, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man what is right for him, 24then [God] is gracious to him, and says, Deliver him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom. 25His flesh shall be fresher than a child's. He returns to the days of his youth. 26He prays to God, and he is favorable to him, so that he sees his face with joy, and he restores to man his righteousness. 27He sings before men, and says, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it did not profit me. 28He has redeemed my soul from going into the pit, and my life shall behold the light. 29Lo, all these things God works twice, [yea] thrice, with a man, 30to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of the living. 31Mark well, O Job, hearken to me. Keep silent, and I will speak. 32If thou have anything to say, answer me. Speak, for I desire to justify thee. 33If not, hearken thou to me. Keep silent, and I will teach thee.