Elihu Rebuke’s Job
1 “However, Job, please hear my speech,
and listen to all my words.
2 See now, I have opened my mouth.
My tongue has spoken in my mouth.
3 My words will utter the uprightness of my heart.
That which my lips know they will speak sincerely.
4 The Spirit of God has made me,
and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
5 If you can, answer me.
Stand up and set your words in order before me.
6 I am just as you are in the sight of God.
I am also formed out of the clay.
7 My terror will not make you afraid,
nor will my pressure be heavy on you.
8 Surely you have spoken in my hearing,
I have heard the sound of your words, saying,
9 ‘I am clean, without disobedience.
I am innocent, nor is there iniquity in me.
10 He finds occasions against me.
He counts me as his enemy.
11 He puts my feet in the stocks.
He marks all my paths.’
12 I will answer you. In this you are not just,
for God is greater than man.
13 Why do you strive against him,
because he does not give account of any of his matters?
14 For God speaks once,
yes twice, though man pays no attention.
15 In a dream, in a vision of the night,
when deep sleep falls on men,
in slumbering on the bed.
16 Then he opens the ears of men,
and seals their instruction,
17 that he may withdraw man from his purpose
and hide pride from man.
18 He keeps back his soul from the pit
and his life from perishing by the sword.
19 He is chastened also with pain on his bed,
with continual strife in his bones,
20 so that his life abhors bread,
and his soul dainty food.
21 His flesh is so consumed that it cannot be seen.
His bones that were not seen stick out.
22 Yes, his soul draws near to the pit
and his life to the destroyers.
23 If there is beside him an angel,
an interpreter, one among a thousand,
to show to man what is right for him;
24 then God is gracious to him and says,
‘Deliver him from going down to the pit.
I have found a ransom.’
25 His flesh will be fresher than a child’s.
He returns to the days of his youth.
26 He prays to God, and God delights in him,
so that he sees his face with joy.
He restores to man his righteousness.
27 He sings before men and says,
‘I have sinned and perverted that which was right,
and it did not profit me.
28 He has redeemed my soul from the pit.
My life will see the light.’
29 God does all these things,
twice, yes three times, with a man,
30 to bring back his soul from the pit,
that he may be enlightened with the light of the living.
31 Mark well, Job, and listen to me.
Hold your peace, and I will speak.
32 If you have anything to say, answer me.
Speak, for I desire to justify you.
33 If not, listen to me.
Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom.”