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Elihu Rebukes Job

¹ But now, O Job, hear my speech, and listen to all my words.² Behold, I will open my mouth; my address is on the tip of my tongue.³ My words are from an upright heart, and my lips speak sincerely what I know.⁴ The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.⁵ Refute me if you can; prepare your case and confront me.⁶ I am just like you before God; I was also formed from clay.⁷ Surely no fear of me should terrify you; nor will my hand be heavy upon you.

⁸ Surely you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard these very words:⁹ ‘I am pure, without transgression; I am clean, with no iniquity in me.¹⁰ Yet He finds occasions against me; He counts me as His enemy.¹¹ He puts my feet in the stocks; He watches over all my paths.’¹² Behold, you are not right in this matter. I will answer you, for God is greater than man.¹³ Why do you complain to Him that He answers nothing a man asks^(a)?

¹⁴ For God speaks in one way and in another, yet no one notices.¹⁵ In a dream, in a vision in the night, when deep sleep falls upon men as they slumber on their beds,¹⁶ He opens their ears at that time and terrifies them with warnings,¹⁷ in order to turn a man from wrongdoing and keep him from pride,¹⁸ to preserve his soul from the Pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.

¹⁹ A man is also chastened on his bed with pain and constant distress in his bones,²⁰ so that he detests his bread, and his soul loathes his favorite food.²¹ His flesh wastes away from sight, and his hidden bones protrude.²² He draws near to the Pit, and his life to the messengers of death.²³ Yet if there is a messenger on his side, one mediator 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 his ransom,’²⁵ then his flesh will be renewed like a child’s, and he will return to the days of his youth.²⁶ He will pray to God and find favor; he will see His face and shout for joy, and God will restore the righteousness of that man.²⁷ Then he will sing before^(a) men with these words: ‘I have sinned and perverted what was right; yet I did not get what I deserved.²⁸ He redeemed my soul from going down to the Pit, and I will live to see the light.’

²⁹ Behold, all these things God does to a man, two or even three times,³⁰ to bring back his soul from the Pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of life.³¹ Pay attention, Job, and listen to me; be silent, and I will speak.³² But if you have something to say, answer me; speak up, for I would like to vindicate you.³³ But if not, then listen to me; be quiet, and I will teach you wisdom.”