1 Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, 1 And hearken to all my words.
2 Behold now I have opened my mouth, 2 My tongue hath spoken [a]in my mouth.
3 My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: 3 And my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.
4 Gen. 2:7The Spirit of God hath made me, 4 And the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
5 If thou canst, answer me, 5 Set thy words in order before me, stand up.
6 ch. 9:32,33Behold, I am [b]according to thy wish in God's stead: 6 I also am [c]formed out of the clay.
7 ch. 9:34Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, 7 Neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.
8 Surely thou hast spoken [d]in mine hearing, 8 And I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,
9 ch. 10:7I am clean without transgression, 9 I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.
10 Behold, he findeth occasions against me, 10 ch. 16:9He counteth me for his enemy,
11 ch. 13:27He putteth my feet in the stocks, 11 He marketh all my paths.
12 Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, 12 That God is greater than man.
13 Why dost thou Is. 45:9strive against him? 13 For [e]he giveth not account of any of his matters.
14 Ps. 62:11For God speaketh once, 14 Yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
15 Num. 12:6In a dream, in a vision of the night, 15 When deep sleep falleth upon men, 15 In slumberings upon the bed;
16 ch. 36:10,15Then [f]he openeth the ears of men, 16 And sealeth their instruction.
17 That he may withdraw man from his [g]purpose, 17 And hide pride from man.
18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, 18 And his life [h]from perishing by the sword.
19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, 19 And the multitude of his bones with strong pain:
20 Ps. 107:18So that his life abhorreth bread, 20 And his soul [i]dainty meat.
21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; 21 And his bones that were not seen stick out.
22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, 22 And his life to the destroyers.
23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, 23 One among a thousand, 23 To shew unto man his uprightness:
24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, 24 Deliver him from going down to the pit: 24 I have found [j]a ransom.
25 His flesh shall be fresher [k]than a child's: 25 He shall return to the days of his youth:
26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: 26 And he shall see his face with joy: 26 For he will render unto man his righteousness.
27 [l]He looketh upon men, and if any 2 Sam. 12:13;Prov. 28:13;Luke 15:21;1 John 1:9say, 27 I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, 27 And it Rom. 6:21profited me not;
28 [m]He will Is. 38:17deliver his soul from going into the pit, 28 And his life shall see the light.
29 Lo, all these things worketh God 29 [n]Oftentimes with man,
30 Ps. 56:13To bring back his soul from the pit, 30 To be enlightened with the light of the living.
31 Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: 31 Hold thy peace, and I will speak.
32 If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: 32 Speak, for I desire to justify thee.
33 If not, Ps. 34:11hearken unto me: 33 Hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.
