Thomson(i)
1 Now therefore, Job, hear thou my words, and listen attentively to my speech;
2 for lo! I have opened my mouth, and my tongue hath begun to speak.
3 My words shall proceed from a pure heart; and the sentiments of my lips shall be pure.
4 It is the divine spirit, which made me, even the inspiration of the Almighty, which teacheth me.
5 If thou art able, give me an answer; come to trial, and let us stand face to face.
6 Thou art formed out of clay, and so am I: we are both made of the same material.
7 By the dread of me thou wilt not be terrified; nor will this hand of mine be heavy on thee.
8 Now thou hast said in my hearing; I heard the sound of thy words: for thou saidst,
9 "I am pure, I have not sinned; I am irreprehensible, for I have not transgressed.
10 But he hath invented an accusation against me, and hath accounted me as an enemy.
11 He hath put my foot in a clog, and watched all my ways."
12 For how, dost thou say, I am righteous, yet he hath not hearkened to me. For He, who is over mortals, is eternal.
13 And dost thou say, Why in my trial, hath he not hearkened to me on every matter?
14 For the Lord may have spoken once, and again;
15 In a dream, for instance, or in a nightly vision: As when a dread horror falleth on men, during their slumbers on a bed;
16 then doth he open the understanding of men.
17 With such appearances of terror he frighted them, to turn man away from iniquity. Again he hath saved his body from a fall,
18 and hath rescued his soul from death; and hath not suffered him to fall in battle.
19 Again he hath rebuked him with sickness on a bed, and benumbed all his bones;
20 so that he cannot take any nourishment, [though his soul longeth for food]
21 until his flesh become rotten, and he can show his bones bare.
22 When his soul hath come near to death, and his life near to the mansion of the dead,
23 though there may be a thousand messengers of death, not one of them can mortally wound him.
24 If he determine in his heart to turn to the Lord, when he shall have shewn man his charge against him, and pointed out to him his folly, he will support him, that he may not fall to death,
25 and renew his body like the plaistering on a wall, and will fill his bones with marrow; and make his flesh soft like that of an infant, and restore him to full strength among men.
26 And when he hath prayed to the Lord, and shall enjoy acceptable things, he will come with a cheerful countenance and with thanks: and render justice to men.
27 Then will such a man blame himself, and say, What I have done! He hath not chastened me, as my sins deserve!
28 Save my soul, that it may not go to destruction, and let my life see light.
29 Behold in these three ways the Almighty doth all these things with man.
30 He hath indeed delivered my soul from death; that in light my life may praise him.
31 Listen attentively, Job, and hear me: keep silence that I may speak.
32 If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak; for I wish thee to be justified.
33 If not: hearken to me: keep silence and I will teach thee.