¶ Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear¹ my speeches, and hearken to all my words.

Behold, now I² have opened my mouth³, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.

My words shall be of the⁴ uprightness of my heart: and my lips⁵ shall utter knowledge clearly.

⁶The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

If⁷ thou canst answer me, set⁸ thy words in order before me, stand⁹ up.

Behold, I am¹⁰ according to thy wish¹¹ in God's stead: I also¹² am formed¹³ out of the clay.

Behold, my terror¹⁴ shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand¹⁵ be heavy upon thee.

¶ Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing¹⁶, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,

I am clean¹⁷ without transgression, I am innocent¹⁸; neither is there iniquity in me.

¶ Behold, he findeth¹⁹ occasions against me, he counteth²⁰ me for his enemy,

He putteth²¹ my feet in the stocks, he marketh²² all my paths.

Behold, in this thou²³ art not just: I will²⁴ answer thee, that God²⁵ is greater than man.

Why dost thou strive²⁶ against him? for he giveth not account²⁷ of any of his matters.

¶ For God²⁸ speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth²⁹ it not.

In a dream³⁰, in a vision of the night, when deep³¹ sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;

Then he openeth³² the ears of men, and sealeth³³ their instruction,

That he may withdraw³⁴ man from his purpose³⁵, and hide pride from man.

He keepeth³⁶ back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing³⁷ by the sword.

¶ He is chastened³⁸ also with pain³⁹ upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:

¶ So that his life⁴⁰ abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat⁴¹.

His flesh⁴² is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones⁴³ that were not seen stick out.

Yea, his soul⁴⁴ draweth near unto the grave, and his life⁴⁵ to the destroyers.

If there be a messenger⁴⁶ with him, an interpreter⁴⁷, one⁴⁸ among a thousand, to⁴⁹ shew unto man his uprightness:

Then⁵⁰ he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver⁵¹ him from going down to the pit: I⁵² have found a ransom⁵³.

His flesh⁵⁴ shall be fresher than a child's⁵⁵: he shall return to the days of his youth:

He shall pray⁵⁶ unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall⁵⁷ see his face with joy: for he will⁵⁸ render unto man his righteousness.

He looketh⁵⁹ upon men, and if any say, I⁶⁰ have sinned, and perverted⁶¹ that which was right⁶², and it profited⁶³ me not;

He will deliver⁶⁴ his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see⁶⁵ the light.

¶ Lo, all⁶⁶ these things worketh God oftentimes⁶⁷ with man,

¶ To bring⁶⁸ back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened⁶⁹ with the light of the living.

⁷⁰Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.

⁷¹If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.

If not, hearken⁷² unto me: hold thy peace, and I⁷³ shall teach thee wisdom.