But he said to her, “You speak as one of the [spiritually] foolish women speaks [ignorant and oblivious to God’s will]. Shall we indeed accept [only] good from God and not [also] accept adversity and disaster?” In [spite of] all this Job did not sin with [words from] his lips.

“Then a spirit passed before my face; The hair on my skin stood on end!

“The spirit stood still, but I could not discern its appearance; A form was before my eyes; There was silence, and then I heard a voice, saying:

God Is Just

“Call now —is there anyone who will answer you? And to which of the holy ones (angels) will you turn?

Because the arrows of the Almighty are within me, My spirit drinks their poison; The terrors of God are arrayed against me.

“Then I would still have consolation, And I would jump for joy amid unsparing pain, That I have not denied or hidden the words of the Holy One.

“Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul [O Lord].

‘You have granted me life and lovingkindness; And Your providence (divine care, supervision) has preserved my spirit.

That you should turn your spirit against God And let such words [as you have spoken] go out of your mouth?

“Behold, God puts no trust in His holy ones (angels); Indeed, the heavens are not pure in His sight—

Job Says He Has Become a Byword

“My spirit is broken, my days are extinguished, The grave is ready for me.

“I have heard the reproof which insults me, But the spirit of my understanding makes me answer.

“As for me, is my complaint to man or about him? And why should I not be impatient and my spirit troubled?

“To whom have you uttered [these] words? And whose spirit [inspired what] came forth from you?

The Greatness of God

“The spirits of the dead tremble Underneath the waters and their inhabitants.

“But there is [a vital force and] a spirit [of intelligence] in man, And the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.

“For I am full of words; The spirit within me constrains me.

“The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life [which inspires me].

“If God should determine to do so, If He should gather to Himself [that is, withdraw from man] His [life-giving] spirit and His breath,

“I had heard of You [only] by the hearing of the ear, But now my [spiritual] eye sees You.