1But please, Job, hear my speech, and listen to all my words. 2Behold, now I have opened my mouth; my tongue has spoken in my mouth. 3My words come from my upright heart; my lips shall utter knowledge in purity. 4The Spirit of the Mighty God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. 5If you are able, answer me, set your words in order before me; take your stand. 6Behold, I am as your spokesman before the Mighty God; I also have been formed out of clay. 7Surely no fear of me will terrify you, nor shall my burden be heavy upon you. 8Surely you have spoken in my ears, and I have heard the sound of your words, saying, 9I am pure, without transgression; I am innocent, and there is no iniquity in me. 10Yet He finds opposition in me, He counts me as His enemy; 11He puts my feet in the stocks, He watches all my paths. 12Behold, in this you have not been righteous. I will answer you, for God is greater than man. 13Why do you contend with Him? For He does not give account to you of His business. 14For the Mighty God may speak once or twice, yet no one regards it. 15In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, while slumbering on their beds, 16then He opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction. 17In order to turn man from his deed, and conceal pride from man, 18He keeps back his soul from the Pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. 19Man is also chastened with pain on his bed, and with perpetual strife in his bones, 20so that his life loathes bread, and his soul desirable food. 21His flesh wastes away from sight, and his bones which once were not seen are laid bare. 22Yea, his soul draws near the Pit, and his life to the executioners. 23If there is a messenger for him, a mediator, one among a thousand, to declare for man his uprightness, 24then let Him be gracious to him and say, Deliver him from going down to the Pit; I have found a ransom. 25His flesh shall be fresh like a youth’s, he shall return to the days of his vigor. 26He shall pray unto God, and He will delight in him; he shall see His face with joy, for He restores to man His righteousness. 27Then he observes men and says, I have sinned, and perverted what was right; and it has not been equaled to me. 28He has redeemed my soul from passing over to the Pit, and my life shall see the light. 29Lo, the Mighty God works all these things twice or three times with a man, 30to bring back his soul from the Pit, that he may be enlightened with the Light of Life. 31Pay attention, Job, listen to me; be silent, and I will speak. 32If you have anything to say, answer me; speak, for I desire to justify you. 33If not, listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.