Writer: Moses

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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 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.