| New International Version (NIV) | New International Version (NIV) |
| 1 "But now, Job, listen to my words; pay attention to everything I say. | 1 "But now, Job, listen to my words; pay attention to everything I say. |
| 2 I am about to open my mouth; my words are on the tip of my tongue. | 2 I am about to open my mouth; my words are on the tip of my tongue. |
| 3 My words come from an upright heart; my lips sincerely speak what I know. | 3 My words come from an upright heart; my lips sincerely speak what I know. |
| 4 The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life. | 4 The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life. |
| 5 Answer me then, if you can; prepare yourself and confront me. | 5 Answer me then, if you can; prepare yourself and confront me. |
| 6 I am just like you before God; I too have been taken from clay. | 6 I am just like you before God; I too have been taken from clay. |
| 7 No fear of me should alarm you, nor should my hand be heavy upon you. | 7 No fear of me should alarm you, nor should my hand be heavy upon you. |
| 8 "But you have said in my hearing-- I heard the very words-- | 8 "But you have said in my hearing-- I heard the very words-- |
| 9 'I am pure and without sin; I am clean and free from guilt. | 9 'I am pure and without sin; I am clean and free from guilt. |
| 10 Yet God has found fault with me; he considers me his enemy. | 10 Yet God has found fault with me; he considers me his enemy. |
| 11 He fastens my feet in shackles; he keeps close watch on all my paths.' | 11 He fastens my feet in shackles; he keeps close watch on all my paths.' |
| 12 "But I tell you, in this you are not right, for God is greater than man. | 12 "But I tell you, in this you are not right, for God is greater than man. |
| 13 Why do you complain to him that he answers none of man's words ? | 13 Why do you complain to him that he answers none of man's words ? |
| 14 For God does speak--now one way, now another-- though man may not perceive it. | 14 For God does speak--now one way, now another-- though man may not perceive it. |
| 15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men as they slumber in their beds, | 15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men as they slumber in their beds, |
| 16 he may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings, | 16 he may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings, |
| 17 to turn man from wrongdoing and keep him from pride, | 17 to turn man from wrongdoing and keep him from pride, |
| 18 to preserve his soul from the pit, his life from perishing by the sword. | 18 to preserve his soul from the pit, his life from perishing by the sword. |
| 19 Or a man may be chastened on a bed of pain with constant distress in his bones, | 19 Or a man may be chastened on a bed of pain with constant distress in his bones, |
| 20 so that his very being finds food repulsive and his soul loathes the choicest meal. | 20 so that his very being finds food repulsive and his soul loathes the choicest meal. |
| 21 His flesh wastes away to nothing, and his bones, once hidden, now stick out. | 21 His flesh wastes away to nothing, and his bones, once hidden, now stick out. |
| 22 His soul draws near to the pit, and his life to the messengers of death. | 22 His soul draws near to the pit, and his life to the messengers of death. |
| 23 "Yet if there is an angel on his side as a mediator, one out of a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him, | 23 "Yet if there is an angel on his side as a mediator, one out of a thousand, to tell a man what is right for him, |
| 24 to be gracious to him and say, 'Spare him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom for him'-- | 24 to be gracious to him and say, 'Spare him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom for him'-- |
| 25 then his flesh is renewed like a child's; it is restored as in the days of his youth. | 25 then his flesh is renewed like a child's; it is restored as in the days of his youth. |
| 26 He prays to God and finds favor with him, he sees God's face and shouts for joy; he is restored by God to his righteous state. | 26 He prays to God and finds favor with him, he sees God's face and shouts for joy; he is restored by God to his righteous state. |
| 27 Then he comes to men and says, 'I sinned, and perverted what was right, but I did not get what I deserved. | 27 Then he comes to men and says, 'I sinned, and perverted what was right, but I did not get what I deserved. |
| 28 He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit, and I will live to enjoy the light.' | 28 He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit, and I will live to enjoy the light.' |
| 29 "God does all these things to a man-- twice, even three times-- | 29 "God does all these things to a man-- twice, even three times-- |
| 30 to turn back his soul from the pit, that the light of life may shine on him. | 30 to turn back his soul from the pit, that the light of life may shine on him. |
| 31 "Pay attention, Job, and listen to me; be silent, and I will speak. | 31 "Pay attention, Job, and listen to me; be silent, and I will speak. |
| 32 If you have anything to say, answer me; speak up, for I want you to be cleared. | 32 If you have anything to say, answer me; speak up, for I want you to be cleared. |
| 33 But if not, then listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom." | 33 But if not, then listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom." |
| Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) | Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |