JOB 33
Elihu Rebukes Job
[1] “But now, hear my speech, O Job,
and listen to all my words.
[2] Behold, I open my mouth;
the tongue in my mouth speaks.
[3] My words declare the uprightness of my heart,
and what my lips know they speak sincerely.
[4] The Spirit of God has made me,
and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
[5] Answer me, if you can;
set your words in order before me; take your stand.
[6] Behold, I am toward God as you are;
I too was pinched off from a piece of clay.
[7] Behold, no fear of me need terrify you;
my pressure will not be heavy upon you.
[8] “Surely you have spoken in my ears,
and I have heard the sound of your words.
[9] You say, ‘I am pure, without transgression;
I am clean, and there is no iniquity in me.
[10] Behold, he finds occasions against me,
he counts me as his enemy,
[11] he puts my feet in the stocks
and watches all my paths.’
[12] “Behold, in this you are not right. I will answer you,
for God is greater than man.
[13] Why do you contend against him,
saying, ‘He will answer none of man’s words’?
[14] For God speaks in one way,
and in two, though man does not perceive it.
[15] In a dream, in a vision of the night,
when deep sleep falls on men,
while they slumber on their beds,
[16] then he opens the ears of men
and terrifies them with warnings,
[17] that he may turn man aside from his deed
and conceal pride from a man;
[18] he keeps back his soul from the pit,
his life from perishing by the sword.
[19] “Man is also rebuked with pain on his bed
and with continual strife in his bones,
[20] so that his life loathes bread,
and his appetite the choicest food.
[21] His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen,
and his bones that were not seen stick out.
[22] His soul draws near the pit,
and his life to those who bring death.
[23] If there be for him an angel,
a mediator, one of the thousand,
to declare to man what is right for him,
[24] and he is merciful to him, and says,
‘Deliver him from going down into the pit;
I have found a ransom;
[25] let his flesh become fresh with youth;
let him return to the days of his youthful vigor’;
[26] then man prays to God, and he accepts him;
he sees his face with a shout of joy,
and he restores to man his righteousness.
[27] He sings before men and says:
‘I sinned and perverted what was right,
and it was not repaid to me.
[28] He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit,
and my life shall look upon the light.’
[29] “Behold, God does all these things,
twice, three times, with a man,
[30] to bring back his soul from the pit,
that he may be lighted with the light of life.
[31] Pay attention, O Job, listen to me;
be silent, and I will speak.
[32] If you have any words, answer me;
speak, for I desire to justify you.
[33] If not, listen to me;
be silent, and I will teach you wisdom.” (ESV)
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