1 But now, listen to me, Job;pay attention to all my words.
2 Notice that I am opening my mouth;my tongue is speaking in my mouth.
3 My words come from a virtuous heart;my lips speak knowledge clearly.
4 God’s spirit made me;the Almighty’s breath enlivens me.
5 If you are able, answer me;lay out your case before me and take a stand.
6 Notice that I’m just like you to God;I also was pinched from clay.
7 Surely fear of me shouldn’t scare you;my pressure on you shouldn’t be heavy.
8 You certainly said in my hearing;I heard the sound of your words:
9 "I’m pure, without sin;I’m innocent, without offense.
10 Notice that he invents arguments against me;he considers me his enemy,
11 ties up my feet,watches all my paths."
12 Now you’re wrong about this; I’ll answer you,for God is greater than anybody.
13 Why do you contend with him,saying that he doesn’t answer all your words?
14 God speaks in one way,in two ways, but no one perceives it.
15 In the dream, a vision of the night,when deep sleep falls upon humans,during their slumber on a bed,
16 then he opens people’s ears,scares them with warnings,
17 to turn them from a deedand to smother human pride.
18 He keeps one from the pit,a life from perishing by the sword.
19 Or a person may be disciplined by painwhile in bed, bones ever aching
20 until a person loathes food,an appetite rejects a delicacy;
21 the flesh wastes away, no longer visible;the bones, once hidden, protrude.
22 A life approaches the pit;its very being draws near the death dealers.
23 Surely there’s a messenger for this person,a mediator, one out of a thousandto declare one’s integrity to another
24 so that God has compassion on that person and says,"Rescue this one from going down to the pit;I have found a ransom."
25 That person’s flesh is renewed like a child’s;they regain their youth.
26 They pray to God, and God is pleased with them;they behold God’s presencewith a joyful shout.God rewards a person’s righteousness.
27 They sing before people and say:"I have sinned, perverted justice,but didn’t experience the consequences.
28 He ransomed me from crossing into the pit;my life beholds light."
29 Look, God does all this,twice, three times with persons
30 to bring them back from the pit,to shine with life’s light.
31 Listen, Job; hear me;be quiet, and I will speak.
32 If you have words, answer me;speak, for I want to be innocent.
33 If not, you must hear me;be quiet, and I will teach you wisdom.