1“However, Job, please hear my speech,
2See now, I have opened my mouth.
3My words will utter the uprightness of my heart.
4The Spirit of God has made me,
5If you can, answer me.
6Behold, I am towards God even as you are.
7Behold, my terror will not make you afraid,
8“Surely you have spoken in my hearing,
9‘I am clean, without disobedience.
10Behold, he finds occasions against me.
11He puts my feet in the stocks.
12“Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just,
13Why do you strive against him,
14For God speaks once,
15In a dream, in a vision of the night,
16then he opens the ears of men,
17that he may withdraw man from his purpose,
18He keeps back his soul from the pit,
19“He is chastened also with pain on his bed,
20so that his life abhors bread,
21His flesh is so consumed away that it can’t be seen.
22Yes, his soul draws near to the pit,
23“If there is beside him an angel,
24then God is gracious to him, and says,
25His flesh will be fresher than a child’s.
26He prays to God, and he is favourable to him,
27He sings before men, and says,
28He has redeemed my soul from going into the pit.
29“Behold, God does all these things,
30to bring back his soul from the pit,
31Mark well, Job, and listen to me.
32If you have anything to say, answer me.
33If not, listen to me.