1 Wherefore, Iob, I pray thee, heare my talke and hearken vnto all my wordes. 2 Beholde now, I haue opened my mouth: my tongue hath spoken in my mouth. 3 My words are in the vprightnesse of mine heart, and my lippes shall speake pure knowledge. 4 The Spirite of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almightie hath giuen me life. 5 If thou canst giue me answere, prepare thy selfe and stand before me. 6 Beholde, I am according to thy wish in Gods stead: I am also formed of the clay. 7 Beholde, my terrour shall not feare thee, neither shall mine hand be heauie vpon thee. 8 Doubtles thou hast spoken in mine eares, and I haue heard the voyce of thy wordes. 9 I am cleane, without sinne: I am innocent, and there is none iniquitie in me. 10 Lo, he hath found occasions against me, and counted me for his enemie. 11 He hath put my feete in the stockes, and looketh narrowly vnto all my paths. 12 Behold, in this hast thou not done right: I will answere thee, that God is greater then man. 13 Why doest thou striue against him? for he doeth not giue account of all his matters. 14 For God speaketh once or twise, and one seeth it not. 15 In dreames and visions of the night, when sleepe falleth vpon men, and they sleepe vpon their beds, 16 Then he openeth the eares of men, euen by their corrections, which he had sealed, 17 That he might cause man to turne away from his enterprise, and that he might hide the pride of man, 18 And keepe backe his soule from the pit, and that his life should not passe by the sword. 19 He is also striken with sorow vpon his bed, and the griefe of his bones is sore, 20 So that his life causeth him to abhorre bread, and his soule daintie meate. 21 His flesh faileth that it can not be seene, and his bones which were not seene, clatter. 22 So his soule draweth to the graue, and his life to the buriers. 23 If there be a messenger with him, or an interpreter, one of a thousand to declare vnto man his righteousnesse, 24 Then will he haue mercie vpon him, and will say, Deliuer him, that he go not downe into the pit: for I haue receiued a reconciliation. 25 Then shall his flesh be as fresh as a childes, and shall returne as in the dayes of his youth. 26 He shall pray vnto God, and he will be fauourable vnto him, and he shall see his face with ioy: for he will render vnto man his righteousnes. 27 He looketh vpon men, and if one say, I haue sinned, and peruerted righteousnesse, and it did not profite me, 28 He will deliuer his soule from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light. 29 Lo, all these things will God worke twise or thrise with a man, 30 That he may turne backe his soule from the pit, to be illuminate in the light of the liuing. 31 Marke well, O Iob, and heare me: keepe silence, and I will speake. 32 If there be matter, answere me, and speak: for I desire to iustifie thee. 33 If thou hast not, heare me: holde thy tongue, and I will teach thee wisedome.
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.