Job

¹ pay attention to everything I say.

² my words are on the tip of my tongue.

³ my lips sincerely speak what I know.

⁴ the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

⁵ prepare yourself and confront me.

⁶ I too have been taken from clay.

⁷ nor should my hand be heavy upon you.

⁸ I heard the very words—

⁹ I am clean and free from guilt.

¹⁰ he considers me his enemy.

¹¹ he keeps close watch on all my paths.’

¹² for God is greater than man.

¹³ that he answers none of man’s words?

¹⁴ though man may not perceive it.

¹⁵ when deep sleep falls on men as they slumber in their beds,

¹⁶ and terrify them with warnings,

¹⁷ and keep him from pride,

¹⁸ his life from perishing by the sword.

¹⁹ with constant distress in his bones,

²⁰ and his soul loathes the choicest meal.

²¹ and his bones, once hidden, now stick out.

²² and his life to the messengers of death.

²³ as a mediator, one out of a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him,

²⁴ ‘Spare him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom for him’—

²⁵ it is restored as in the days of his youth.

²⁶ he sees God’s face and shouts for joy; he is restored by God to his righteous state.

²⁷ ‘I sinned, and perverted what was right, but I did not get what I deserved.

²⁸ and I will live to enjoy the light.’

²⁹ twice, even three times—

³⁰ that the light of life may shine on him.

³¹ be silent, and I will speak.

³² speak up, for I want you to be cleared.

³³ be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.”