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. {in my mouth: Heb. in my palate}

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. {wish: Heb. mouth} {formed: Heb. cut}

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}, {hearing: Heb. ears}

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. {he giveth...: Heb. he answereth not}

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, {he...: Heb. he revealeth, or, uncovereth}

That he may withdraw man {from his} purpose, and hide pride from man. {purpose: Heb. work}

He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. {from perishing: Heb. from passing}

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. {dainty...: Heb. meat of desire}

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. {a ransom: or, an atonement}

His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth: {a child's: Heb. childhood}

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...: or, He shall look upon men, and say}

He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light. {He...: or, He hath delivered my soul, etc, and my life}

Lo, all these {things} worketh God oftentimes with man, {oftentimes: Heb. twice and thrice}

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.