1Howbeit, Job, I pray thee , hear my speech , And hearken to all my words . 2Behold now , I have opened my mouth ; My tongue hath spoken in my mouth . 3My words shall utter the uprightness of my heart ; And that which my lips know they shall speak sincerely . 4The Spirit of God hath made me , And the breath of the Almighty giveth me life . 5If thou canst , answer thou me ; Set thy words in order before me , stand forth . 6Behold , I am toward God even as thou art: I also am formed out of the clay . 7Behold , my terror shall not make thee afraid , Neither shall my pressure be heavy upon thee.
The Nature of God's Communication
8Surely thou hast spoken in my hearing , And I have heard the voice of thy words , saying , 9I am clean , without transgression ; I am innocent , neither is there iniquity in me : 10Behold , he findeth occasions against me , He counteth me for his enemy; 11He putteth my feet in the stocks , He marketh all my paths. 12Behold , I will answer thee , in this thou art not just ; For God is greater than man . 13Why dost thou strive against him , For that he giveth not account of any of his matters ? 14For God speaketh once, Yea twice , though man regardeth it not . 15In a dream , in a vision of the night , When deep sleep falleth upon men, In slumberings upon the bed ; 16Then he openeth the ears of men, And sealeth their instruction , 17That he may withdraw man from his purpose , And hide pride from man ; 18He keepeth back his soul from the pit , And his life from perishing by the sword .
The Role of Suffering in God's Plan
19He is chastened also with pain upon his bed , And with continual strife in his bones ; 20So that his life abhorreth bread , And his soul dainty food . 21His flesh is consumed away , that it cannot be seen ; And his bones that were not seen stick out . 22Yea, his soul draweth near unto the pit , And his life to the destroyers . 23If there be with him an angel , An interpreter , one among a thousand, To show unto man what is right for him ; 24Then God is gracious unto him , and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit , I have found a ransom . 25His flesh shall be fresher than a child ’s; He returneth to the days of his youth . 26He prayeth unto God, and he is favorable unto him , So that he seeth his face with joy : And he restoreth unto man his righteousness . 27He singeth before men, and saith, I have sinned , and perverted that which was right , And it profited me not : 28He hath redeemed my soul from going into the pit , And my life shall behold the light. 29Lo , all these things doth God work , Twice , yea thrice , with a man , 30To bring back his soul from the pit , That he may be enlightened with the light of the living .
The Call to Repentance and Restoration
31Mark well , O Job, hearken unto me : Hold thy peace , and I will speak . 32If thou hast anything to say , answer me : Speak , for I desire to justify thee . 33If not , hearken thou unto me : Hold thy peace , and I will teach thee wisdom .