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