However, Job, now 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 shall be from my upright heart; and my lips will clearly speak knowledge.
4The Spirit of God made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
5If you are able, answer me; set yourself in order before me. Stand up!
6Behold, I am toward God as you; I also was formed from the clay.
7Behold, my terror shall not frighten you; and my burden shall not be heavy on you.
8Surely you have spoken in my ears, and I have heard the sound of words.
9You said, I am pure, without transgression; I am clean and no iniquity is in me;
10behold, He finds alienation on me; He considers me His enemy;
11He puts my feet in the stocks; He watches all my paths.
12Behold, you are not right in this. I will answer you, for God is greater than man.
13Why do you contend against Him, since He does not give account to you for any of His matters?
14For in one way God may speak, and in a second, but one does not regard it.
15In a dream, a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men; while they slumber on the bed,
16then He opens the ear of men and seals their instruction,
17that He may turn man from his deed; that He might conceal pride from man.
18He holds back his soul from the Pit, and his life from passing by the sword.
19He is also chastened with pain on his bed, and enduring strife in his bones;
20so that his life loathes bread, and his soul desirable food.
21His flesh wastes away from his sight; and his bones laid bare, they that were not seen.
22Yea, his soul draws near to the Pit, and his life to those causing dying.
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, for I have found a ransom!
25His flesh shall be fresher than in vigor; let him return to the days of his youth.
26He will pray to God, and He will accept him, and he will see His face with exultation; for He will restore to man his righteousness.
27He will observe to men and say, I have sinned, and I have perverted uprightness; and it was not equally repaid to me;
28He has redeemed my soul from passing over into the Pit, and my life shall see the light.
29Lo, all these God does two or three times with a man,
30to bring back his soul from the Pit, to be illuminated with the light of the living.
31Pay attention, O 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, you listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.