A reading from the book of Job.

But now hear my speech, O Job, and listen to all my words.

Behold, I open my mouth, the tongue in my mouth speaks.

My words declare the uprightness of my heart, and what my lips know they speak sincerely.

The spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

Answer me if you can.

Set your words in order before me.

Take your stand.

Behold, I am toward God as you are.

I too was pinched off from a piece of clay.

Behold, no fear of me need terrify you.

My pressure will not be heavy upon you.

Surely you have spoken in my ears, and I have heard the sound of your words. You say, I am pure, without transgression. I am clean, and there is no iniquity in me. Behold, he finds occasions against me. He counts me as his enemy. He puts my feet in the stocks and watches all my paths.

Behold, in this you are not right.

I will answer you, for God is greater than man.

Why do you contend against him saying,

He will answer none of man's words?

For God speaks in one way, and in two,

though man does not perceive it,

in a dream, in a vision of the night,

when deep sleep falls on men while they slumber on their beds,

then he opens the ears of men and terrifies them with warnings, that he may turn man aside from his deed and conceal pride from a man. He keeps back his soul from the pit, his life from

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