But now, Job, hear my speaking, And give ear to all my words.

Indeed now, I have opened my mouth; My tongue has spoken in my mouth.

My words manifest the uprightness of my heart, And what my lips know they speak sincerely.

The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty has enlivened me.

If you can, respond to me; Arrange your words before me; take your stand.

Indeed, I am before God as you are; I too was cut out of clay.

So no fear of me can terrify you, Nor can my pressure be heavy upon you.

You have surely spoken in my hearing, And I have heard the voice of your words, saying,

I am clean and without transgression; I am pure, and there is no iniquity in me.

See, He finds occasions for hostility against me; He considers me as His enemy.

He puts my feet in stocks; He watches all my paths.

However, in this you are not right, I will answer you, For God is greater than man.

Why do you contend with Him, Saying that He does not answer for any of His affairs?

For God speaks in one way, Indeed in two ways, without any perceiving it -

In a dream, a night vision, When deep sleep falls upon men In the slumberings upon their beds -

Then He opens the ears of men And seals up their instruction,

That He may turn man aside from his doing And hide pride from man.

He keeps his soul from the pit, And his life from perishing by the sword.

He is also chastened with pain upon his bed And with continual strife in his bones,

So that his life abhors bread, And his soul, fancy food.

His flesh is so consumed that it cannot be seen, And his bones that had not been seen stick out.

And his soul draws near to the pit, And his life, to the destroyers.

If there is with him an angel, An interpreter, one of a thousand, To declare to man what is right for him,

Then He will be gracious to him and will say, Redeem him from going down into the pit; I have found a ransom.

His flesh will be fresher than in childhood; He will return to the days of his youth.

He will pray to God, and He will accept him, So that he sees His face with joyous shouting; And God restores to man his righteousness.

He will sing to men and say, I sinned and perverted what was right, But it was not paid back to me.

He has redeemed my soul from perishing in the pit, And my life will see the light.

Indeed, all these things God accomplishes for a man, Twice, even three times,

To bring his soul back from the pit, To enlighten him with the light of the living.

Take heed, Job; hear me. Be silent, and I will speak.

If you have anything to say, answer me; Speak, for I desire to justify you.

If not, you listen to me; Be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.