1 禄Listen to my words Job. Pay attention to everything I say.
2 禄I am about to open my mouth. My words are on the tip of my tongue.
3 禄My words come from an upright heart! My lips sincerely speak what I know.
4 禄The Spirit of God has made me. The Breath of the Almighty gives me life.
5 禄Answer me then, if you can, and prepare yourself to confront me.
6 禄I am just like you before God. I too have been taken from clay!
7 禄No fear of me should alarm you, nor should my hand be heavy upon you.
8 禄You have said in my hearing, I heard the very words:
9 禄I am pure and without sin! I am clean and free from guilt.
10 禄Yet God has found fault with me. He considers me his enemy!
11 禄He fastens my feet in shackles and he keeps close watch on all my paths.
12 禄But I tell you, Job, in this you are not right, for God is greater than man.
13 禄Why do you complain to him that he answers none of man聮s words?
14 禄God does speak, now one-way and then another, though man may not perceive it.
15 禄In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men as they slumber in their beds,
16 he may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings,
17 that turn man from wrongdoing and keep him from pride.
18 禄It is to preserve him from the pit and keep his life from perishing by the sword.
19 禄On the other hand a man may be chastened on a bed of pain with constant distress in his bones.
20 禄His very being finds food repulsive and he loathes the choicest meal.
21 禄His flesh wastes away to nothing, and his bones, once hidden, now stick out.
22 禄He draws near to the pit and to the messengers of death.
23 禄Yet if there is an angel on his side as a mediator, one out of a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him,
24 to be gracious to him and say: 聭Spare him from going down to the pit. I have found a ransom for him!聮
25 禄His flesh is renewed like a child聮s. It is restored as in the days of his youth.
26 禄He prays to God and finds favor with him. He sees God聮s face and shouts for joy! God restores him to his righteous state.
27 禄He comes to men and says: 聭I sinned, and perverted what was right, but I did not get what I deserved.聮
28 禄He redeemed me from going down to the pit, and I will live to enjoy the light.
29 禄God does all these things to a man twice, even three times.
30 禄He turns him back from the pit that the light of life may shine on him.
31 禄Pay attention, Job, and listen to me! Be silent, and I will speak.
32 禄If you have anything to say answer me. Speak up, for I want you to be cleared.
33 禄But if not, then listen to me. Be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.