Study Desk

But now, Job, pay attention to my speech, and listen to all my words.

I am going to open my mouth; my tongue will form words on my palate.

My words come from my upright^(a) heart, and my lips speak with sincerity what they know.

The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty^(b) gives me life.^(c)

Refute me if you can. Prepare^(d) your case against me; take your stand.^(e)

I am just like you before God; I was also pinched off from a piece of clay.^(f)

Fear^(g) of me should not terrify you; the pressure I exert^[a] against you will be light.

Surely you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard these very^[b] words:

"I am pure, without transgression; I am clean and have no guilt.^(h)

But He finds reasons to oppose me; He regards me as His enemy.⁽ⁱ⁾

He puts my feet in the stocks; He stands watch^(j) over all my paths."

But I tell you that you are wrong in this matter, since God is greater than man.^(k)

Why do you take^(l) Him to court for not answering anything a person asks?^[c]

For God speaks time and again, but a person may not notice it.

In a dream, a vision^(m) in the night, when deep sleep falls on people⁽ⁿ⁾ as they slumber on their beds,

He uncovers their ears^(o) at that time and terrifies them^[d] with warnings,

in order to turn a person from his actions and suppress his pride.^[e]

God spares his soul from the Pit,^(p) his life from crossing the river of death.^[f]

A person may be disciplined on his bed^(q) with pain and constant distress in his bones,^(r)

so that he detests bread, and his soul despises his favorite food.^(s)

His flesh wastes away to nothing,^[g] and his unseen bones stick out.

He draws near to the Pit, and his life to the executioners.

If there is an angel^(t) on his side, one mediator out of a thousand, to tell a person what is right for him^[h]

and to be gracious to him and say, "Spare him from going down to the Pit; I have found a ransom,"^(u)

then his flesh will be healthier^[i] than in his youth, and he will return to the days of his youthful vigor.^(v)

He will pray to God, and God will delight in him. That man will see His face^(w) with a shout of joy, and God will restore his righteousness to him.^(x)

He will look at men and say, "I have sinned and perverted what was right; yet I did not get what I deserved.^[j]

He redeemed my soul from going down to the Pit, and I will continue to see the light."

God certainly does all these things two or three times to a man

in order to turn him back from the Pit, so he may shine with the light of life.^(y)

Pay attention, Job, and listen to me. Be quiet, and I will speak.

But if you have something to say,^[k] answer me; speak, for I would like to justify you.

If not, then listen to me; be quiet, and I will teach you wisdom.