[1] “However now, Job, please hear my speech, And listen to all my words.
[2] Behold now, I open my mouth, My tongue in my mouth speaks.
[3] My words are from the uprightness of my heart, And my lips speak knowledge sincerely.
[4] The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
[5] Refute me if you can; Array yourselves before me, take your stand.
[6] Behold, I belong to God like you; I too have been formed out of the clay.
[7] Behold, no fear of me should terrify you, Nor should my pressure weigh heavily on you.
[8] Surely you have spoken in my hearing, And I have heard the sound of your words:
[9] ‘I am pure, without transgression; I am innocent and there is no guilt in me.
[10] Behold, He invents pretexts against me; He counts me as His enemy.
[11] He puts my feet in the stocks; He watches all my paths.’
[12] Behold, let me tell you, you are not right in this, For God is greater than man.
[13] Why do you complain against Him That He does not give an account of all His doings?
[14] Indeed God speaks once, Or twice, yet no one notices it.
[15] In a dream, a vision of the night, When sound sleep falls on men, While they slumber in their beds,
[16] Then He opens the ears of men, And seals their instruction,
[17] That He may turn man aside from his conduct, And keep man from pride;
[18] He keeps back his soul from the pit, And his life from passing over into Sheol.
[19] Man is also chastened with pain on his bed, And with unceasing complaint in his bones;
[20] So that his life loathes bread, And his soul favorite food.
[21] His flesh wastes away from sight, And his bones which were not seen stick out.
[22] Then his soul draws near to the pit, And his life to those who bring death.
[23] If there is an angel as mediator for him, One out of a thousand, To remind a man what is right for him,
[24] Then let him be gracious to him, and say, ‘Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom’;
[25] Let his flesh become fresher than in youth, Let him return to the days of his youthful vigor;
[26] Then he will pray to God, and He will accept him, That he may see His face with joy, And He may restore His righteousness to man.
[27] He will sing to men and say, ‘I have sinned and perverted what is right, And it is not proper for me.
[28] He has redeemed my soul from going to the pit, And my life shall see the light.’
[29] Behold, God does all these oftentimes with men,
[30] To bring back his soul from the pit, That he may be enlightened with the light of life.
[31] Pay attention, O Job, listen to me; Keep silent, and let me speak.
[32] Then if you have anything to say, answer me; Speak, for I desire to justify you.
[33] If not, listen to me; Keep silent, and I will teach you wisdom.”