1Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches,
2Behold, now I have opened my mouth,
3My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart:
4The Spirit of God hath made me,
5If thou canst, answer me,
6Behold, I am according to thy wish in God’s stead:
7Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid,
8Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing,
9I am clean without transgression,
10Behold, he findeth occasions against me,
11He putteth my feet in the stocks,
12Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee,
13Why dost thou strive against him?
14For God speaketh once,
15In a dream, in a vision of the night,
16Then he openeth the ears of men,
17That he may withdraw man from his purpose,
18He keepeth back his soul from the pit,
19He is chastened also with pain upon his bed,
20So that his life abhorreth bread,
21His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen;
22Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave,
23If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter,
24Then he is gracious unto him, and saith,
25His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s:
26He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him:
27He looketh upon men, and if any say,
28He will deliver his soul from going into the pit,
29Lo, all these things worketh God
30To bring back his soul from the pit,
31Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me:
32If thou hast any thing to say, answer me:
33If not, hearken unto me: