Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and… Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth. {in my mouth: Heb. in my palate} My words {shall be of} the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly. The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. If thou canst answer me, set {thy words} in order before me, stand up. Behold, I {am} according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay. {wish: Heb. mouth} {formed: Heb. cut} Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee. Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of {thy} words, {saying}, {hearing: Heb. ears} I am clean without transgression, I {am} innocent; neither {is there} iniquity in me. Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy, He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths. Behold, {in} this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man. Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters. {he giveth…: Heb. he answereth not} For God speaketh once, yea twice, {yet man} perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, {he…: Heb. he revealeth, or, uncovereth} That he may withdraw man {from his} purpose, and hide pride from man. {purpose: Heb. work} He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. {from perishing: Heb. from passing} He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong {pain}: So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat. {dainty…: Heb. meat of desire} His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones {that} were not seen stick out. Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers. If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. {a ransom: or, an atonement} His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth: {a child's: Heb. childhood} 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. He looketh upon men, and {if any} say, I have sinned, and perverted {that which was} right, and it profited me not; {He…: or, He shall look upon men, and say} He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light. {He…: or, He hath delivered my soul, etc, and my life} Lo, all these {things} worketh God oftentimes with man, {oftentimes: Heb. twice and thrice} To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living. Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak. If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.