Job

1“However, Job, please hear my speech,and listen to all my words.

2See now, I have opened my mouth.My tongue has spoken in my mouth.

3My words will utter the uprightness of my heart.That which my lips know they will speak sincerely.

4The Spirit of God has made me,and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

5If you can, answer me.Set your words in order before me, and stand up.

6Behold, I am towards God even as you are.I am also formed out of the clay.

7Behold, my terror will not make you afraid,neither will my pressure be heavy on you.

8“Surely you have spoken in my hearing,I have heard the voice of your words, saying,

9‘I am clean, without disobedience.I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me.

10Behold, he finds occasions against me.He counts me for his enemy.

11He puts my feet in the stocks.He marks all my paths.’

12“Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just,for God is greater than man.

13Why do you strive against him,because he doesn’t give account of any of his matters?

14For God speaks once,yes twice, though man pays no attention.

15In a dream, in a vision of the night,when deep sleep falls on men, in slumbering on the bed,

16then he opens the ears of men,and seals their instruction,

17that he may withdraw man from his purpose,and hide pride from man.

18He keeps back his soul from the pit,and his life from perishing by the sword.

19“He is chastened also with pain on his bed,with continual strife in his bones,

20so that his life abhors bread,and his soul dainty food.

21His flesh is so consumed away that it can’t be seen.His bones that were not seen stick out.

22Yes, his soul draws near to the pit,and his life to the destroyers.

23“If there is beside him an angel,an interpreter, one amongst a thousand, to show to man what is right for him,

24then God is gracious to him, and says,‘Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom.’

25His flesh will be fresher than a child’s.He returns to the days of his youth.

26He prays to God, and he is favourable to him,so that he sees his face with joy. He restores to man his righteousness.

27He sings before men, and says,‘I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it didn’t profit me.

28He has redeemed my soul from going into the pit.My life will see the light.’

29“Behold, God does all these things,twice, yes three times, with a man,

30to bring back his soul from the pit,that he may be enlightened with the light of the living.

31Mark well, Job, and listen to me.Hold your peace, and I will speak.

32If you have anything to say, answer me.Speak, for I desire to justify you.

33If not, listen to me.Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom.”

Elihu Rebukes Job

1“But now, O Job, hear my speech,and listen to all my words.

2Behold, I will open my mouth;my address is on the tip of my tongue.

3My words are from an upright heart,and my lips speak sincerely what I know.

4The Spirit of God has made me,and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

5Refute me if you can;prepare your case and confront me.

6I am just like you before God;I was also formed from clay.

7Surely no fear of me should terrify you;nor will my hand be heavy upon you.

8Surely you have spoken in my hearing,and I have heard these very words:

9‘I am pure, without transgression;I am clean, with no iniquity in me.

10Yet God finds occasions against me;He counts me as His enemy.

11He puts my feet in the stocks;He watches over all my paths.’

12Behold, you are not right in this matter.I will answer you, for God is greater than man.

13Why do you complain to Himthat He answers nothing a man asks?

14For God speaks in one way and in another,yet no one notices.

15In a dream,in a vision in the night,when deep sleep falls upon menas they slumber on their beds,

16He opens their earsand terrifies them with warnings

17to turn a man from wrongdoingand keep him from pride,

18to preserve his soul from the Pitand his life from perishing by the sword.

19A man is also chastened on his bedwith pain and constant distress in his bones,

20so that he detests his bread,and his soul loathes his favorite food.

21His flesh wastes away from sight,and his hidden bones protrude.

22He draws near to the Pit,and his life to the messengers of death.

23Yet if there is a messenger on his side,one mediator in a thousand,to tell a man what is right for him,

24to be gracious to him and say,‘Spare him from going down to the Pit;I have found his ransom,’

25then his flesh is refreshed like a child’s;he returns to the days of his youth.

26He prays to God and finds favor;he sees God’s face and shouts for joy,and God restores His righteousnessto that man.

27Then he sings beforemenwith these words:‘I have sinned and perverted what was right;yet I did not get what I deserved.

28He redeemed my soul from going down to the Pit,and I will live to see the light.’

29Behold, all these things God does to a man,two or even three times,

30to bring back his soul from the Pit,that he may be enlightened with the light of life.

31Pay attention, Job, and listen to me;be silent, and I will speak.

32But if you have something to say, answer me;speak up, for I would like to vindicate you.

33But if not, then listen to me;be quiet, and I will teach you wisdom.”