Wherefore, Job
, I pray thee, hear
my speeches
, and hearken
to all my words
.
Behold, now I have opened my mouth
, my tongue
hath spoken
in my mouth
.
My words shall be of the uprightness
of my heart
: and my lips
shall utter
knowledge
clearly
.
The Spirit of God
hath made
me, and the breath
of the Almighty
hath given me life
.
If thou canst answer
me, set thy words in order
before
me, stand up
.
Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's
stead: I also am formed
out of the clay
.
Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid
, neither shall my hand
be heavy
upon thee.
Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing
, and I have heard
the voice
of thy words
, saying ,
I am clean without transgression
, I am innocent
; neither is there iniquity
in me.
Behold, he findeth occasions
against me, he counteth
me for his enemy
,
He putteth my feet
in the stocks
, he marketh
all my paths
.
Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer
thee, that God
is greater
than man
.
Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account
of any of his matters
.
For God speaketh
once
, yea twice
, yet man perceiveth
it not.
In a dream, in a vision
of the night
, when deep
sleep falleth
upon men
, in slumberings
upon the bed
;
Then he openeth the ears
of men
, and sealeth
their instruction
,
That he may withdraw man
from his purpose
, and hide
pride
from man
.
He keepeth back his soul
from the pit
, and his life
from perishing
by the sword
.
He is chastened also with pain
upon his bed
, and the multitude
of his bones
with strong
pain :
So that his life abhorreth
bread
, and his soul
dainty
meat
.
His flesh is consumed away
, that it cannot be seen
; and his bones
that were not seen
stick out
.
Yea, his soul draweth near
unto the grave
, and his life
to the destroyers
.
If there be a messenger
with him, an interpreter
, one
among a thousand
, to shew
unto man
his uprightness
:
Then he is gracious unto him, and saith
, Deliver
him from going down
to the pit
: I have found
a ransom
.
His flesh shall be fresher
than a child's
: he shall return
to the days
of his youth
:
He shall pray unto God
, and he will be favourable
unto him: and he shall see
his face
with joy
: for he will render
unto man
his righteousness
.
He looketh upon men
, and if any say
, I have sinned
, and perverted
that which was right
, and it profited
me not;
He will deliver his soul
from going
into the pit
, and his life
shall see
the light
.
Lo, all these things worketh God
oftentimes
with man
,
To bring back his soul
from the pit
, to be enlightened
with the light
of the living
.
Mark well, O Job
, hearken
unto me: hold thy peace
, and I will speak
.
If thou hast any thing to say
, answer
me: speak
, for I desire
to justify
thee.
If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace
, and I shall teach
thee wisdom
.