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¹ Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.² Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.³ My words [shall be of] the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.⁴ The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.⁵ If thou canst answer me, set [thy words] in order before me, stand up.⁶ Behold, I [am] according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay.⁷ Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.

⁸ Surely thou hast spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the voice of [thy] words, [saying],⁹ I am clean without transgression, I [am] innocent; neither [is there] iniquity in me.¹⁰ Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,¹¹ He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.¹² Behold, [in] this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.¹³ Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.

¹⁴ For God speaketh once, yes twice, [yet man] perceiveth it not.¹⁵ In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;¹⁶ Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,¹⁷ That he may withdraw man [from his] purpose, and hide pride from man.¹⁸ He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.

¹⁹ He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong [pain]:²⁰ So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty food.²¹ His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones [that] were not seen stick out.²² Yes, his soul draweth near to the grave, and his life to the destroyers.²³ If there is a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man his uprightness:²⁴ Then he is gracious to him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.²⁵ His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he will return to the days of his youth:²⁶ He shall pray to God, and he will be favorable to him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render to man his righteousness.²⁷ He looketh upon men, and [if any] shall say, I have sinned, and perverted [that which was] right, and it profited me not;²⁸ He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.

²⁹ Lo, all these [things] God often worketh with man,³⁰ To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.³¹ Mark well, O Job, hearken to me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.³² If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.³³ If not, hearken to me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.